Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

The Secret of My Succe$s (1987) movie poster

Characters & Themes

The Secret of My Succe$s (1987) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
1987 · 111 min · English
Loading streaming availability…
Directed by
Herbert Ross
Starring
Richard Jordan, John Pankow, Michael J. Fox, Gerry Bamman, Fred Gwynne, Helen Slater

A recent college graduate leaves his small Kansas hometown for the bustling city of New York, hoping for a promising job. However, his dream job isn's available, and he finds himself working alongside his well-meaning but clumsy Uncle Howard. To advance his career, Brantley pretends to be a successful executive, adopting a fabricated persona and navigating the challenges of corporate life with a humorous and inventive approach.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (5)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like The Secret of My Succe$s
  8. 8 Every angle
Loading streaming availability…

5 main characters · contains spoilers

The Secret of My Succe$s Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of The Secret of My Succe$s (1987), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Brantley Foster (Michael J. Fox)

    Brantley Foster is a determined recent college graduate with a strong desire to succeed in the competitive world of finance. His creativity and resourcefulness help him navigate corporate challenges, although often in ethically ambiguous ways. Brantley embodies the hopeful yet naïve spirit of young professionals eager to make their mark.

    • 🎓 Graduate
    • 💪 Determined
    • 🕵️‍♂️ Resourceful
  • Howard Prescott (Richard Jordan)

    Howard Prescott is the powerful CEO whose influence looms over Brantley's ambitions. While he initially appears as a potential mentor, his complexities reveal a man caught between personal desires and corporate responsibilities. Prescott's character illustrates the challenges faced by executives in balancing ambition with loyalty.

    • 🏢 CEO
    • 💼 Ambitious
    • 🤔 Complicated
  • Christy Wells (Helen Slater)

    Christy Wells is a strong-willed executive caught in a web of corporate politics and personal relationships. Initially dismissive of Brantley, she gradually recognizes his potential and becomes a crucial ally. Her evolving relationship with him adds depth to her character, showcasing her internal conflicts between ambition and attraction.

    • 👩‍💼 Executive
    • 💔 Conflicted
    • 💡 Innovative
  • Fred Melrose (John Pankow)

    Fred Melrose serves as Brantley’s mentor in the mailroom, introducing him to the inner workings of the corporate world. His laid-back demeanor contrasts sharply with Brantley’s ambitious nature, providing necessary comic relief. Fred represents the everyday worker whose insights and guidance help Brantley navigate his unconventional challenges.

    • 📬 Mentor
    • 😂 Humorous
    • 👨‍💼 Supportive
  • Vera (Margaret Whitton)

    Vera is a high-powered executive whose relationships reflect the complexities of power dynamics in the workplace. Initially appearing as a motherly figure to Brantley, her seduction complicates the narrative. As her character evolves, she embodies the struggles of women in business, balancing personal desires with professional ambitions.

    • 👩‍⚖️ Powerful
    • 💋 Seductive
    • 🤷‍♀️ Complex

Last updated: January 14, 2025 at 22:07

Was this helpful?

Setting

Where and When Does The Secret of My Succe$s Take Place?

The setting of The Secret of My Succe$s (1987): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

1980s

The 1980s was a period of significant economic expansion in the United States, marked by a rise in corporate power and influence. This era saw a shift toward materialism and consumerism, with an emphasis on success in business, which is reflected in Brantley's aspirations. The film captures the competitive nature of the job market during this time, highlighting challenges faced by young professionals.

Location

New York City, Manhattan, Litchfield

New York City serves as the bustling backdrop for Brantley's journey, known for its vibrant business districts and as a global financial hub. Manhattan, in particular, represents the fast-paced corporate world where Brantley begins his career. Litchfield, a suburban area, is depicted as an affluent escape, featuring the palatial estate of his boss, which symbolizes both temptation and the disparities of wealth.

  • 🏙️ City
  • 🏠 Home
  • 🌆 Suburb

Last updated: January 14, 2025 at 22:07

Was this helpful?

3 major themes

The Secret of My Succe$s Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is The Secret of My Succe$s (1987) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Ambition

    The theme of ambition is central to Brantley's character as he navigates the challenges of the corporate world. Despite facing repeated setbacks, his drive to succeed pushes him to take bold risks, including adopting a fake identity. This relentless pursuit of success also raises questions about ethics and integrity in the business realm.

  • Romance

    Romance weaves through the narrative as Brantley develops relationships with two influential women in his life. His interactions with Vera and Christy explore themes of attraction, manipulation, and emotional entanglements that affect his career. Ultimately, his romantic choices influence not just his personal life but also his professional trajectory.

  • Deception

    Deception plays a crucial role as Brantley adopts the alias Carlton Whitfield to navigate the corporate landscape. This theme illustrates the lengths to which he will go to prove his worth and succeed in a cutthroat environment. The film delves into the consequences of deceit and the blurred lines between ambition and morality.

Last updated: January 14, 2025 at 22:07

Was this helpful?

Character & theme questions

The Secret of My Succe$s Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about The Secret of My Succe$s (1987): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is The Secret of My Succe$s set?

The movie takes place primarily in New York City, specifically Manhattan, which serves as the backdrop for Brantley's corporate career. Key scenes also occur in Litchfield, an affluent suburban area where his boss's estate represents the wealth and temptation he aspires to.

  • new york city
  • manhattan
  • setting
  • locations
  • litchfield
Q2

What time period is The Secret of My Succe$s set in?

The film is set in the 1980s, a period marked by significant economic expansion in the United States. This era emphasized corporate success, materialism, and consumerism, which directly shapes Brantley's aspirations and the competitive business environment he navigates.

  • 1980s
  • time period
  • era
  • 1980s corporate america
Q3

What are the main themes in The Secret of My Succe$s?

The film explores three central themes: ambition, romance, and deception. Ambition drives Brantley's journey as he pursues corporate success. Romance weaves through his relationships with two women who impact both his personal and professional life. Deception serves as the mechanism he uses to advance, adopting a fake identity to navigate corporate politics.

  • themes
  • ambition
  • romance
  • deception
  • corporate america
Q4

How does the movie handle the theme of ambition?

Ambition is central to Brantley Foster's character as a recent college graduate desperate to succeed in finance. His relentless pursuit of success leads him to take bold risks, including creating a fake executive persona. The film questions the ethics of such ambition while showing the cutthroat nature of 1980s corporate culture that rewards results over methods.

  • ambition
  • corporate success
  • ethics
  • career
  • brantley foster
Q5

What role does deception play in The Secret of My Succe$s?

Deception is crucial to the plot as Brantley adopts the alias Carlton Whitfield to gain access to the corporate world. This fictional persona allows him to navigate executive circles and prove his worth. The film examines the consequences of this deceit and the blurred boundaries between ambitious self-creation and outright fraud.

  • deception
  • fake identity
  • carlton whitfield
  • aliases
  • corporate lies
Q6

Who is the main character Brantley Foster?

Brantley Foster is a recent college graduate from small-town Kansas who moves to New York City seeking his dream job in finance. Despite his education and determination, he finds himself working in the mailroom. His creativity and resourcefulness help him scheme his way upward, though often through ethically questionable methods, embodying the hopeful yet naïve spirit of young 1980s professionals.

  • brantley foster
  • main character
  • protagonist
  • young professional
Q7

Who is Howard Prescott in the movie?

Howard Prescott is the powerful CEO who looms over Brantley's career ambitions. He represents the pinnacle of corporate success that Brantley aspires to. Prescott is a complex figure caught between personal desires and corporate responsibilities, illustrating the challenges executives face in balancing ambition with loyalty.

  • howard prescott
  • CEO
  • boss
  • executive
  • corporate leader
Q8

Who are Brantley's love interests in the film?

Brantley develops relationships with two influential women: Vera, a high-powered executive who initially appears motherly but becomes romantically involved with him, and Christy Wells, a strong-willed executive who evolves from dismissing Brantley to becoming a crucial ally. Both relationships intertwine with his professional trajectory.

  • vera
  • christy wells
  • love interests
  • romance
  • relationships
Q9

Who is Fred Melrose and what role does he play?

Fred Melrose is Brantley's mentor who works in the mailroom alongside him. He introduces Brantley to the inner workings of the corporate world and provides comic relief with his laid-back demeanor. Fred represents the everyday worker whose practical insights help guide Brantley through his unconventional rise.

  • fred melrose
  • mentor
  • mailroom
  • guide
  • comic relief
Q10

What is the tone and style of The Secret of My Succe$s?

The film has a consistently light, comedic tone driven by the premise of a mailroom employee posing as an executive. Despite complications like affairs and potential job loss, these are treated as humorous obstacles rather than serious tragedies. The fast-paced narrative remains accessible and linear, with an unambiguously happy resolution.

  • tone
  • comedy
  • style
  • lighthearted
  • humorous
Q11

How does the movie portray the corporate world of the 1980s?

The film depicts the 1980s corporate landscape as competitive and materialistic, with success measured by wealth and status. Young professionals faced significant challenges breaking into finance, and the movie highlights the pressures that drove ambitious workers to extreme measures. The fast-paced business environment of Manhattan serves as both an exciting opportunity and a demanding obstacle.

  • corporate world
  • 1980s business
  • wall street
  • corporate culture
  • job market

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Secret of My Succe$s, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Secret of My Succe$s tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about charming corporate imposters like The Secret of My Succe$s

Witty protagonists who fake it to make it in the business world. If you enjoyed the mischievous fun of The Secret of My Succe$s, you'll like these films featuring ambitious characters who use clever disguises and quick thinking to succeed in the business world. These stories capture the energetic spirit of faking it until you make it.

  • mischievous
  • aspirational
  • charming
  • confident
  • playful
  • energetic
  • Tone: light, mischievous, charming
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a charismatic underdog who creates an elaborate false identity to infiltrate a high-stakes professional environment. The plot revolves around the increasing complexity of the lie, close calls with discovery, and the protagonist's internal conflict between ambition and authenticity, culminating in a triumphant reveal of their true, capable self.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared focus on a specific type of comedic empowerment: the fantasy of beating the system from the inside using wit rather than credentials. They blend workplace satire with a playful, high-energy caper feel, resulting in an aspirational and consistently amusing experience.

Energetic 80s workplace romantic comedies like The Secret of My Succe$s

Fast-paced comedies mixing career ambition with lighthearted romance. Fans of The Secret of My Succe$s will enjoy these similar 1980s comedies that blend career-driven plots with lighthearted romance. Discover movies with the same fast pace, playful tone, and aspirational feel set against the backdrop of corporate life and youthful ambition.

  • 1980s
  • romantic
  • energetic
  • aspirational
  • playful
  • charming
  • Tone: light, romantic, playful
  • Pacing: fast, upbeat
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically follow a young go-getter entering a competitive professional world. The story interweaves their career misadventures—often involving office politics or a mistaken identity—with a sunny romantic subplot, usually a love triangle. The journey is one of personal and professional coming-of-age, leading to success in both career and love.

Why they belong together: This thread groups films that share a distinct time-capsule quality and a specific recipe: the fusion of workplace satire, aspirational themes, and breezy romance, all delivered with the unmistakable fast-paced, optimistic style of 1980s cinema. They evoke a shared nostalgic and energetic vibe.

If you liked this

Movies Like The Secret of My Succe$s

Similar movies to The Secret of My Succe$s: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

The Secret of My Succe$s (1987) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Secret of My Succe$s in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app