Year: 1987
Runtime: 111 min
Language: English
Director: Herbert Ross
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.
Get a spoiler-free look at The Secret of My Succe$s (1987) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In the restless bustle of New York City, a freshly minted business graduate leaves the quiet plains of Kansas behind, chasing the promise of a career that seems just within reach. The city’s gleaming towers and cut‑throat finance culture provide a vivid backdrop where ambition collides with chance, and the line between confidence and pretense is often blurred. Amid the clamor of investors and endless networking events, the tone balances sharp wit with an undercurrent of earnest yearning, setting the stage for a comedy‑driven exploration of corporate life.
Brantley arrives with high hopes, only to discover that his coveted entry‑level position has vanished, leaving him adrift in a landscape of polished suits and impatient recruiters. Faced with a series of rejections, he turns to an unlikely ally: his well‑meaning but clumsy uncle, Howard, a seasoned executive whose reputation in the industry carries weight he never expected to inherit. Together they navigate the labyrinthine corridors of a massive investment firm, where mailrooms, conference rooms, and executive suites feel like distinct worlds of their own.
As Brantley watches the inner workings of the powerhouse from the sidelines, he becomes increasingly aware that appearances can open doors that talent alone may not. The story teases the notion of crafting a new identity—complete with a polished business card and a self‑assured swagger—while highlighting the humor that arises when bravado meets the everyday reality of office politics. The film’s style is bright and fast‑paced, peppered with clever dialogue and moments of heartfelt sincerity, inviting viewers to wonder how far a determined newcomer will go to rewrite his destiny in a city that never sleeps.
Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 13:40
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
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.
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.
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.
Fast-paced comedies mixing career ambition with lighthearted romance.Fans of The Secret of My Succe$s will enjoy these similar 1980s comedies that blend career-driven plots with lighthearted romance. Discover movies with the same fast pace, playful tone, and aspirational feel set against the backdrop of corporate life and youthful ambition.
These narratives typically follow a young go-getter entering a competitive professional world. The story interweaves their career misadventures—often involving office politics or a mistaken identity—with a sunny romantic subplot, usually a love triangle. The journey is one of personal and professional coming-of-age, leading to success in both career and love.
This thread groups films that share a distinct time-capsule quality and a specific recipe: the fusion of workplace satire, aspirational themes, and breezy romance, all delivered with the unmistakable fast-paced, optimistic style of 1980s cinema. They evoke a shared nostalgic and energetic vibe.
Don't stop at just watching — explore The Secret of My Succe$s in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Secret of My Succe$s is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of The Secret of My Succe$s, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.
Track the full timeline of The Secret of My Succe$s with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Secret of My Succe$s. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Secret of My Succe$s: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like The Secret of My Succe$s that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
The Secret of My Succe$s (1987) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
The Secret of My Succe$s (1987) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
The Secret of My Succe$s (1987) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow
Movies Like The Secret of My Succe$s – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
The Perfect Man (2005) Full Movie Breakdown
Secret Things (2004) Movie Recap & Themes
Can You Keep a Secret? (2019) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Stealing Harvard (2002) Detailed Story Recap
Sunday in New York (1964) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Secret Admirer (1985) Film Overview & Timeline
A Family Affair (2024) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Secret Millionaire (2018) Ending Explained & Film Insights
The American Success Company (1980) Story Summary & Characters
The Secret Sauce (2021) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
The Secret of My Success (1965) Ending Explained & Film Insights
The Secret Life of an American Wife (1968) Complete Plot Breakdown
That Wonderful Urge (1948) Complete Plot Breakdown
Big Business Girl (1931) Story Summary & Characters
More Than a Secretary (1936) Ending Explained & Film Insights