Secret Admirer (1985)

25% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
61% of users liked it
(4,008 ratings)

Produced at the height of the teen sex comedy cinema craze in the mid-1980s, Secret Admirer (1985) was the directorial debut of David Greenwalt, who would later move from screwball comedy to horror with the television series The X-Files, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. C. Thomas Howell stars as… More Produced at the height of the teen sex comedy cinema craze in the mid-1980s, Secret Admirer (1985) was the directorial debut of David Greenwalt, who would later move from screwball comedy to horror with the television series The X-Files, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. C. Thomas Howell stars as Michael Ryan, a high school student who receives an anonymous love note in his locker. Hoping that it's from Deborah Ann Fimple (Kelly Preston), a gorgeous but air-headed classmate who only dates college boys, Michael hatches a scheme with Toni (Lori Loughlin), who is friendly with both him and Deborah, to write her back. What Michael doesn't know, however is that the first letter was really from Toni, who has more than friendship in mind. In the meantime, the unsigned missives fall into the wrong hands, leading Michael's mother, Connie (Dee Wallace-Stone) to believe that her husband George (Cliff De Young) is having an affair with his night school teacher, Elizabeth (Leigh Taylor-Young), who is none other than Deborah's mother. George had better watch his back, however, as Elizabeth's husband is Lieutenant Lou Fimple (Fred Ward), a tough cop who's having a very bad week. As the romantic complications pile up, Toni becomes Michael's Cyrano de Bergerac, penning his letters but pining for him as he gets closer to winning Deborah over. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: David Greenwalt
Written By: David Greenwalt, Jim Kouf
Genres: Comedy, Romance

In Theaters: Jun 14, 1985 Wide
On DVD: Jan 7, 2003
Studio: HBO Video

Critic Reviews

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Starts well, but the early comic buoyancy deflates quickly.
Kevin Fiddler, Henderson Home News (Henderson, NV)
C. Thomas who?
Bill Chambers, Film Freak Central
...How a formulaic laff riot with a risqué slant is done.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Only in a genre that includes Private School and Joy Sticks could Secret Admirer be considered a good movie, but this one's actually got some laughs!

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

Another predictable teen romance from the 80s, but it does have a good cast and a couple of funny scenes.
Curtis L

Oh the 80's. How I do enjoy making fun of it.
Donna D

Hilarious teen comedy on a Secret Admirer letter. How one letter intrigues the mind of Michael ( C.Thomas Howell) who is curious to see who his admirer is and pin points the hot girl in school Debbie. Only thing is Michael needs his best friend Toni to help him out with delivering the… More
Hilarious teen comedy on a Secret Admirer letter. How one letter intrigues the mind of Michael ( C.Thomas Howell) who is curious to see who his admirer is and pin points the hot girl in school Debbie. Only thing is Michael needs his best friend Toni to help him out with delivering the letters. Soon, it get's in the wrong hands and causes mayhem. Hilarious and funny and a great 80's favorite. Fred Ward makes a nice addition to this comedy. :)
Leo L

This was the funniest, the cutest, and definitely the craziest movie ever! I love it still. Great cast!

Cast

            C. Thomas Howell as Michael Ryan

            Lori Loughlin as Toni

            Fred Ward as Lou Fimple

            Kelly Preston as Debora Anne Fimple

            Dee Wallace as Connie Ryan

            Cliff De Young as George Ryan

            Leigh Taylor-Young as Elizabeth Fimple

            Casey Siemaszko as Roger Despard

            Scott McGinnis as Steve Powers

            Geoffrey Blake as Ricardo

            Rodney Pearson as Kirkpatrick

            Courtney Gains as Doug

            Corey Haim as Jeff

            Ernie Brown as Guard

            Janet Carroll as Toni's Mother

            J.J. Cohen as Barry

            Ken Lerner as Waiter

            Doug Savant as Boy

            John Terlesky as Rick

            Ron Burke as Mr. Henderson

            Leslie Allan as Girl

            Gipsi de Young as Mrs. Henderson

            Dermott Downs as Ungrateful Teen

            Arvid Malnaa as Norwegian Dock Worker

            Michael Menzies as Mr. Simpson

            Keith Mills as Mailman

            Mike Toto as Toni's Father

            Michael Moore as Leon

            Michael Moore (V)
            
See full cast