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The Secret of My Success (1987)

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Average Rating: 5.4/10
Reviews Counted: 19
Fresh: 11 | Rotten: 8

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 4
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 2

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Average Rating: 3/5
User Ratings: 32,311

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Movie Info

A talented young man can't get an executive position without rising through the ranks, so he comes up with a shortcut, which also benefits his love life.

PG-13, 1 hr. 50 min.

Comedy

Directed By: Herbert Ross

In Theaters: Apr 7, 1987 Wide

On DVD: Oct 27, 1998

MCA Universal Home Video

The Secret of My Success Trailer & Photos

Cast

Michael J. Fox
Brantley Foster
Helen Slater
Christy Wills
Richard Jordan
Howard Prescott
Margaret Whitton
Vera Prescott
John Pankow
Fred Melrose
Christopher Murney
Barney Rattigan
Gerry Bamman
Art Thomas
Fred Gwynne
Donald Davenport
Carol Ann Susi
Jean
Don Amendolia
Executive
Rick Aviles
Maintenance Man
Jeff Brooks
Executive
John Capodice
Man in KRS Building
Jack Davidson
Davidson
Macintyre Dixon
Ferguson
Bill Fagerbakke
Ron
Elizabeth Franz
Grace Foster
Barton Heyman
Arnold Forbush
Gloria Irizarry
Wife of Liquor Store Ow...
Judith Malina
Mrs. Meachum
Mark Margolis
Maintenance Man
Bruce McGill
Burke Pearson
Fired Executive
Joe Ragno
Shipping Executive
Luis Antonio Ramos
Cuban
Rex Robbins
McMasters
Mercedes Ruehl
Sheila
Drew Snyder
Burt Foster
Ira Wheeler
Owens
Mary Catherine Wright
Research Department Cle...
Christopher Durang
Davis
Arthur Gallo
Harried KRS Executive
Sally Jane Heit
Woman in KRS Building
Ray Ramirez
Liquor Store Owner
Ascanio Sharpe
Executive
Ashley J. Laurence
Fletcher
John Bowman
Proctor

Critic Reviews for The Secret of My Success

All Critics (22) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (12) | Rotten (8) | DVD (2)

The movie builds up a lot of good will early on, which is needed when the time comes to resolve its farcical complications.

May 20, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment

Vincent Canby

New York Times

Top Critic

Obviously, no new ground is being broken here, but director Ross keeps things humming in an endearingly old-fashioned way.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Washington Post

| Comment

Richard Harrington

Washington Post

Top Critic

Does the movie really believe anyone is as stupid as these characters? Does it care?

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

| Comment

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

[A] belabored charade of mistaken identities...

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Washington Post

| Comment

Rita Kempley

Washington Post

Top Critic

The Secret of My Success is available as part of a four movie 'Michael J. Fox Comedy Favourites Collection.'

May 14, 2007 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide

| Comment

Brian Webster

Apollo Guide

The 1980s were not a particularly inspired era, so it's appropriate that a middling romantic comedy like this one would earn the title of quintessential movie of the decade.

May 14, 2007 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide

| Comment

Brian Webster

Apollo Guide

enjoyable fluff

February 7, 2005 Comment

Rich Cline

Shadows on the Wall

Quintessential 1980s comedy

November 3, 2004 Comment

James Sanford

Kalamazoo Gazette

Does the fun ever start?

January 27, 2004 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com

| Comment

Christopher Null

Filmcritic.com

Surprisingly sharp comedy.

June 19, 2003 Comment

Nell Minow

Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for The Secret of My Success

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A classic 80s movie with Michael J. Fox at his finest. The idea of this movie is as good in execution as it seems on paper, actually probably a lot better than it looks on paper. Whether it's the odd, slightly incestuous relationships or the orchestra of sex, there's never really any dull moments in this at all. The

July 24, 2011

Conner Rainwater

Super Reviewer

A yuppie trying to rise up to the top has his life complicated by love. This is a great 80s flick, very funny and very timely. Fox is great as usual, and so is Slater. I really like this movie, and I recommend seeing it.

September 6, 2010

AJ Verser

Super Reviewer

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