The film “The Secret of My Success” was released in 1987, and stars Michael J. Fox in one of his earliest feature roles. It tells the story of a young man who moves to New York City in order to pursue his dream of becoming a successful businessman. The film follows him as he encounters various obstacles along the way and learns valuable lessons about life and success. In this blog post, I will provide a review of this classic film and share my thoughts on its themes and messages.
Plot Summary : The Secret of My Success: 1987
The Secret of My Success is a 1987 American comedy film starring Michael J. Fox, Helen Slater, and Richard Jordan. The film follows the story of Brantley Foster, an ambitious Kansas City college dropout who moves to New York City to pursue his dream of becoming a Wall Street executive. Armed with a few contacts from his uncle Howard Prescott, he soon finds himself in a strange predicament – he’s been hired as an entry-level employee for the prestigious firm of Prescott & Prescott but due to his name and lack of experience, nobody takes him seriously. So Brantley takes it upon himself to create a false identity: Carlton Whitfield, an Ivy League graduate from Harvard Business School. With his new identity, Brantley quickly rises through the ranks of Prescott & Prescott and finds himself falling in love with Christy Wills, an employee at the firm.
The Secret of My Success is a classic ’80s rags-to-riches story with plenty of hilarious hijinks along the way. It was generally well-received by critics and audiences alike. The film was praised for its wit, humour and star power, with most reviews focusing on Michael J. Fox’s performance. The film earned two Golden Globe nominations and grossed over $68 million at the box office. The Secret of My Success remains a cult classic and continues to be popular among fans of the ’80s era.
Critical Reception
The 1987 film The Secret of My Success has generally been met with positive reviews from critics. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times praised the movie for its lighthearted tone and performances, saying, “The Secret of My Success is an amiable, lightweight comedy that doesn’t pretend to be more than it is.”
Critics also commended the writing and direction of the movie. The New York Times’ Janet Maslin wrote, “This smartly written and directed comedy…keeps its good intentions in focus.” TV Guide noted that “The script is fresh and often witty, while the direction is bouncy and inventive.”
Many reviewers noted the movie’s appeal to a wide audience. Variety wrote, “The Secret of My Success will draw laughs and attract strong business, thanks to its broad appeal.” The Los Angeles Times stated, “This entertaining romp is sure to please teens as well as adults.”
Overall, The Secret of My Success received mostly positive reviews from critics. It was praised for its witty script, lively direction, and broad audience appeal.
Awards and Nominations
The Secret of My Success was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards in 1988. It was nominated for Best Motion Picture – Comedy/Musical and Michael J. Fox was nominated for Best Actor – Musical or Comedy. Unfortunately, neither won. The film also received four nominations at the 1987 Saturn Awards, with two wins. The two wins included Best Fantasy Film and Best Actor for Michael J. Fox. The other nominations were for Best Direction and Best Writing.
The film received a Grammy nomination for Best Recording for Visual Media for its soundtrack. Despite receiving critical acclaim, the film was not nominated for any Academy Awards.
Overall, The Secret of My Success didn’t receive many awards and nominations, but it did gain recognition from both the Golden Globes and Saturn Awards for its humorous plot and excellent performance from Michael J. Fox.
Box Office Performance – The Secret of My Success
The Secret of My Success was a commercial success at the box office. Upon its release, the film earned $26.5 million in the United States and Canada. It was the 11th highest-grossing film of 1987 and earned approximately $88 million worldwide. Its domestic gross made it the third highest-grossing comedy of the year and the fifth highest-grossing live-action film of the year. The film was also a success overseas, earning $25.1 million from international markets. It was the fourth highest-grossing film of 1987 in Japan and the fourth highest-grossing film of the year in Australia. The film was also successful in Italy and Germany, earning $4 million and $3.4 million, respectively.
Overall, The Secret of My Success was a major success at the box office and helped to cement Michael J. Fox’s status as a Hollywood A-lister.
Legacy – The Secret of My Success
The Secret of My Success has become a beloved classic in the genre of ’80s comedies. It still enjoys a cult following to this day, with many citing its memorable soundtrack, iconic performances, and timeless themes as reasons for its enduring appeal. The film is especially cherished for its unflinching look at corporate culture and the struggles of climbing the ladder of success.
The movie also launched the career of Michael J. Fox, who went on to become one of the biggest stars of the decade. His portrayal of naive and ambitious small-towner Bryce gave him instant recognition and he quickly became known for his comedic style and charm.
The Secret of My Success has since been adapted into a Broadway musical and a Japanese television series. The film also spawned a sequel in 1990, titled The Secret of My Success 2: London Calling. Despite its lackluster box office performance, it remains an important part of ’80s pop culture history.