MovieChat Forums > Secret Admirer (1985) Discussion > Possibly the most under-rated '80s Genre...

Possibly the most under-rated '80s Genre' movie

posted 17 years ago by danser1
48 replies | jump to latest

I have been watching this movie for the past 20 years. I first saw it when I was 8 and now I'm 29. It never gets old. When people talk of "80s Genre" movies, the same ones are always discussed - Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, 16 Candles, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, St. Elmo's Fire, etc. Believe it or not, not many people are too familiar with Secret Admirer. Here are some reasons why I feel it is one of the most under-rated 80s flicks. First, believable performances from C. Thomas Howell, Lori Loughlin, and Kelli Preston. Every guy could empathize with Howell's character, Michael. You strive for the hot chick and when you finally land her, you realize she isn't that great. You realize that the down-to-earth cool chick is the right one. Lori Loughlin was amazing in this movie. If you are a big fan of hers, I suggest you see another 80s hidden gem, Rad. Second, great performances by all 4 parents. They really added a great comedic touch. Fred Ward had some excellent one-liners that Arnold would have been proud of. Third, the soundtrack is pretty cool. Especially, Jan Hammer's amazing score that plays throughout the movie. Fourth, even though the ending is predictable, you gotta love it, especially if you're a big sap like me. From the time he punches Steve Powers, the excitement really builds. I love the music playing in the background while he's in pursuit. And the best part about the scene is the desperation in Michael's voice when he utters, "Toni." You really feel for the guy. I hope I didn't bore anyone. Feel free to share your thoughts on this 80s classic.

[–] glorifindel 17 years ago

I couldn't agree more! It is a real hidden gem in the genre and both Kelly and Lori play their parts perfectly. The scene when they are sunbathing in the pool is shot beatifully.

I agree that a lot of people focus too much on the Brat Pack movies when discussing 80's movies. (even if they are really good)

"Just one of the guys" is another gem that is over seen too (imho) and that still makes me laugh

[–] dragoncane 15 years ago

"Just One of the Guys" is one of my all-time fave 80's movies!! And I swear, hardly anyone I know has ever even heard of it, let alone seen it.

I'm getting ready to watch "Secret Admirer" for the first time in over 20 years. I remember seeing it, but it wasn't one of those things I saw over and over again, like "JOotG" or all the John Hughes movies.

[–] AnotherRubberchicken 11 years ago

Just one of the guys is AWESOME, especially the little brother of the main character!! I also like how it gives a more realistic (if not entirely) picture of what high school is like for those of us who were never considered cool nor bland enough to just fit into the mass.

[–] horrorgrrrrl 17 years ago

I am watching it right now actually. I saw it when I was a kid... back when VCR's were still super expensive and you could actually rent them at the video store along with the videos themselves. I had such a crush on C. Thomas Howell and I love owning the DVD. I think it's hilarious and romantic. And what's especially refreshing is that no one is 100% bad -- even Debbie has feelings, which we see when she cries when she gets home after Michael's birthday party. And Steve shows another side when he has a chance to sleep with Toni and considers holding off because he's really in love with Debbie. The chemistry between Michael and Toni is excellent, though I wish we could see a longer first kiss at the end of the film.

[–] gluserty 16 years ago

i just watched this movie yesterday afternoon. it's such a well done film. funny moments: how toni got roger back not once, but twice for telling people they had sex(she wrcked his van, then told debbie "a guy nmed roger with a beat up van" told everybody debbie had sex with steve). also, the parent's bridge club night, "wow, elizabeth, you really outdid yourself with these affairs". then the zany physical comedy that ensues. just an excellent film. roger ebert should have reviewed it.
yes, "just one of the guys" is another excellent film. i w2ish i still had it on tape.

[–] tduchampsgirl 16 years ago

ive been wanting to watch this movie for a while. i put it on my blockbuster movie list thing, and it finally came today. yay. im gonna go watch it tonight hopefully.

Ponyboy curtis and teddy duchamp are pretty much my heros.

[–] RobBase086-1 16 years ago

It is a great movie to watch. I have not seen it in a long time. I think the last time it was on Comedy Central showed it or possibly some other network must have. It has been a while though and wished it was shown more though as a 80's classic.

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[–] jake_stephans 16 years ago

i totally agree 100%... very very underrated
Fred Ward is great in this flick.

[–] RobBase086-1 16 years ago

I am surprised that someone has not created a network that is Totally 80's you know! It shows all of the TV shows from the 80's that we loved and movies as well. That would be pretty cool to see.

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[–] jake_stephans 16 years ago

now that would be something to be obsessed with!

[–] RobBase086-1 16 years ago

Yes very much so it would be something to be obsessed with!

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[–] nickrock23 16 years ago

i also think this is one the most underrated movies ever. i thought the plot was intelligent. the characters are likable. the dialogue is good. you get to see kelly prestons boobs. what's not to like?

[–] RobBase086-1 16 years ago

Well there are a lot of movies that people do not acknowledge too well and notice because they do not think it is a good movie because it may not have all of the A-List actors in the movie.

I have seen a lot of good movies that I thought were great and did not have any mainstream actors and they are just starting in the business. Sometimes it happens that way you know.

I liked the movie and thought it was a good movie when I watched it.

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[–] unklejoe69 16 years ago

3 great underated 80's movies
secret admirer
3'o clock high
heavenly kid

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[–] RobBase086-1 16 years ago

I have not seen 3'O Clock High in a long time and that is a very good movie to watch! I remember during the 90's they would show that a lot and then it just faded to some shelf at some network or station collecting dust now and not hardly used at all.

I would love to see a major network dedicate like a weekend or a month to 80's movies for all of us who are fans of movies from the 80's! That would be awesome to see!

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[–] nickrock23 15 years ago

those are 3 of my all time favorite movies. secret admirer and three o'clock high are both in my top 10 all time and heavenly kid is in my top 50. when people hear me say my favorite movies of all time are braveheart, scarface, shawshank, three o'clock high, secret admirer... they are like WTF???

[–] lithotomy 11 years ago

^ lol

[–] gypsisandra 16 years ago

THIS MOVIE ROCKS IT STILL MAKES ME WISH I WAS AN 80'S KID

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[–] spasek 15 years ago

I agree. Great, under-rated movie. Roger is absolutely hilarious! I'm surprised more people don't mention his character here. His scenes at the frat party are priceless. And his reaction to Toni smashing up his van was funny too.

[–] VianneChocolat 15 years ago

I just saw this movie last night on TV and I really liked it. I love watching 80s movies. The other movie that I like which is also not that popular is "Valley Girl" which stars young Nic Cage.

[–] mail-2775 15 years ago

I agree. The Sure Thing should also be on that list of good young people 80s movies.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] torstn 14 years ago

ya know
i just watched all those 80s teen comedies for the first time and i gotta say this one i liked far better than all those "classics" by hughes etc.
all those better known aforementioned movies consist mostly of relationship-talks etc and i was dissapointed by all these movies considering the reputation- i thought out of these classics "16 CANDLES" (surely the least known of the bunch) was the best.

but much better than 16 candles i liked this one, because it was much more like a classic comedy than just a relationship drama like most of these 80s classics tend to be and it was just funnier.

remember all these great 60s screwball slapstick chaotic comedies where everybody gets confused for another and so on and it all ends up in a big chaos? it was totally like that.
and it was very well done this way - i mean the way it all slowly leads up more and more into chaos. i mean everybody gets fooled by everybody in this thats a sign of a classic to me
u see when cliff deyoung talks to the teacher and they both mean totally different things

[–] filmbuff1974 14 years ago

I just caught this for the first time and I agree, it's really under rated. I think what happened is that none of the Brat Packers were in this movie and all those "nostalgia" ( gross!) film books and articles looking back at the eighties assume more people are familiar with the Brat Packers.

C. Thomas Howell surprised me in this. Despite his under the radar eighties iconic stature, his film career has not been a charmed one to say the least. The early nineties saw him in many exploitation movies that went straight to VHS cassette. I wonder what would have happened if he was one of the Brat Packers.

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[–] At_The_Opera 14 years ago

This movie is too far underrated. I agree

[–] stickley85 13 years ago

I think what made this film stand out alot was it did have meaning and heart behind it.