The Secret of My Succe$s

The Secret of My Success from 1987 offers a hilarious and highly entertaining take on the classic story of climbing the corporate ladder. Starring the charismatic Michael J. Fox in the prime of his career, this movie goes beyond the typical rags-to-riches narrative, blending romance, humor, and ambition into a lighthearted roller-coaster ride through the corporate world of the 1980s.

As the movie begins, we meet Brantley Foster (Michael J. Fox), a bright, ambitious, recent business school graduate from Kansas, who dreams of making it big in the fast-paced, cutthroat environment of New York City. With his college degree in hand and suits from Sears, Brantley sets off to the Big Apple with high hopes. However, he finds the reality to be harsh as he loses his job on his first day due to a company's liquidation.

Frustrated but not defeated, Brantley is determined to build a career in the city's financial district, and he takes up a clerical job in the mailroom of Pemrose Corporation, a multinational conglomerate. Keeping his larger ambitions to himself, he quickly makes himself an integral part of the company. However, his aspiration propels him to devise a daring plan to fly higher in the organization's hierarchy.

With no legitimate opportunities for growth presenting themselves, Brantley becomes a master of disguise, creating an alter-ego named Carlton Whitfield. Posing as an executive, he utilizes his knowledge gleaned from handling company mail, impressing upper management with his intelligence and business acumen, all the while deceiving his co-workers and superiors about his dual identity. Meanwhile, as Brantley, he continues his diligent work in the mailroom, waiting for his chance.

The plot thickens further when two people come into the life of our protagonist – a talented and ambitious Christy Wills (Helen Slater), who notes Whitfield's impressive handling of business affairs and becomes romantically interested in him, and the company's CEO, Howard Prescott (Richard Jordan), whose wife, Vera (Margaret Whitton), has taken a keen interest in the humble mailroom clerk, Brantley.

As Brantley's dual life complicates, he has to juggle between becoming the object of Vera’s infatuation and winning Christy's heart, all while maintaining his two separate identities. Through a complex series of comic misadventures and frantic office politicking, Brantley must navigate the slippery slopes of the corporate world and personal relationships, all threatening to collide disastrously at any moment.

The Secret of My Success draws audiences in by entwining a classic boy-meets-world narrative with romantic entanglements and corporate politics. The humor not only derives from Brantley's covert operations and quick timing but also from the outrageous portrayal of the disconnect between corporate executives and ground-level employees. At its core, the movie is about determination, ambition, and using one's wit to overcome obstacles.

Michael J. Fox, renowned for his roles in Back to the Future and Teen Wolf, delivers an animated and compelling performance, embodying the ambitious and inventive Brantley Foster with great charm and a youthful energy that leaves viewers rooting for him all the way. His comic timing and charming on-screen presence are paired perfectly with Helen Slater’s strong and savvy Christy. The two offer a delightful on-screen chemistry that gives the corporate storyline a romantic twist.

Supported by standout performances from Richard Jordan as the out-of-touch CEO, and Margaret Whitton as the lovelorn Vera, the movie is brimming with comical characters that take the audience on a fun-filled, albeit chaotic, cinematic journey. Herb Edelman and John Pankow also contribute to the entertaining ensemble cast.

The Secret of My Success, directed by Herbert Ross, remains as one of the quintessential 80s comedies. It beautifully intertwines the themes of ambition, deception, love, and success, offering a blend of laughs and light-hearted drama that never gets old.

Whether you are a fan of the 80s era, looking for a compelling narrative, or drawn to enjoyable character performances, The Secret of My Success is an entertaining watch that showcases Michael J. Fox in one of his signature roles. It is a classic comedy that continues to charm audiences years after its release.