I mean the movie has a good meaning to it if its (A fathers last wish for his billionaire son is to go live somewhere for a month with no money at all, as if his son deserved to see how life is without money which basically hints that he must be a arrogant, selfish, rude person ) but I feel like the movie didn't add up. It confused me when he was never really a rude man in the first place they showed a couple scenes of him at work asking a man to take some calls for him but he still wasn't as cocky or rude as the meaning of the story was trying to make it be When he moved and was working he was very respectful the whole time, he was never rude to anyone, he met someone married her and took her back home with him, so pretty much the movie turned into A little love story versus The plot of the movie There was no arrogant selfish billionaire who left for a month and came back a changed man and realized how he acted before that month and wanted to change his ways, it was him bringing his girlfriend back home and showing her that he was rich the whole time ,giving employee bonuses ,and happy ever after, if the plot of the movie would've been his dad dying wish is for him is to meet a real woman not someone who cares about money and then after A month he realizes she's in love with him without him telling her he's a billionaire then the movie would've been great.
36 Reviews
Keep the expectations low
brendasmpt12 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This movie only gets four stars, because the main character was so attractive. I also like the main actress because she is from Say Anything. Very predictable, so-so acting, but loved the cliche' ending. All the nice people got rewarded, and even the mean people were given a break. The film was not put together very well and definitely needed more backstory and depth to flush out the secondary characters, and even the main characters. I enjoyed seeing the lady from Rocky, Talia Shire, as the mother. It was a well-meaning storyline, but I would never recommend it, unless someone just wanted to see a kind, gorgeous Italian man on the screen for an hour and a half.
Hackneyed & uninspired
boblasher-767-4460334 February 2022
I had this on as "ambient TV" while I was working from home. Had I been watching sincerely, I probably would have turned it off. The script is a typical rubber-stamp plot (think Hallmark) and misses some opportunities to be more creative and fun. Most of all, was the seriously mail-it-in performance from Skye. I thought she was new to acting or related to the producer as I watched, because... she was awful.
Multiple releases under different names
Argyll128 April 2021
This appears to have been first released in 2009 as A Secret Promise. It was released again in 2016 as The Homeless Billionaire. Now it's My Secret Billionaire.
The owners took to heart the adage "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." They should have tried another movie instead of re-titling and re-releasing this one every 5-7 years. I suppose they coax a few dollars out of it by re-releasing every few years.
The owners took to heart the adage "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." They should have tried another movie instead of re-titling and re-releasing this one every 5-7 years. I suppose they coax a few dollars out of it by re-releasing every few years.
It's a pleasant feel-good movie
sunrisejulia10 April 2021
Is it perfect? No) Could it be better? Sure) Is it a 2021 movie? No, but who cares) Does it cheer you up and brings a smile to your face? Definitely! So I want to tell all the critics who have that negative attitude 'Please, relax, lower your expectations and enjoy the story! Imagine how you'd make it better if you want to.' I think this team did a good job and I thank them! I know I'll watch this movie again.
My Father's Secret Billionaire Promise - Yikes.
bmoviefan-377141 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
It doesn't matter if this movie is a cookie cutter story - that's been many times and they've been successful.
It doesn't matter if lines are cliche, if the lead up to certain moments are predictable - these have also been done with some level of success by other movies.
But you can't get around bad casting, horrible music, sub-par editing and terrible movie lines.
The lead actor was simply pedestrian. He was abrupt, cheesy and distant. He's difficult to relate with and having a "hair always in place" image makes him look like he got the lead role because he won a raffle somewhere. I can't sympathize with his plight because he looks like a nefarious timeshare salesman.
Ione Skye was simply not used in the right way - her lines were horrible while spending most of her camera time brooding. How can you cheer for her?
In the sidewalk cafe scene, she says "I don't know why I feel comfortable telling you about myself..." - really? How did the audience get there? And they had to bring in some angle that her husband died in the Iraqi war - which is why she hasn't dated? OMG - who wrote that?
Ione Skye - "I'm sick of all these secrets" (the movie did not fully establish many secrets - it was one phone call).
Victor Alfieri - (after a long absence and misunderstanding) "Diane, I need to talk to you" and bam, gratuitous sex scene. What?
Why do writers and directors keep putting actors in situations that normal people would never do yet they expect an emotional attachment to their characters?
The comedic attempts - horrible. If your actors can't deliver the humor, you shouldn't attempt these.
The music was the worst - you can somewhat salvage something with good background music but wow!!! The music used when they're walking... the music used while with her parents... and more - it's a plane crash about to happen.
They can name this movie "My Father's Will" or "My Secret Billionaire" or "A Secret Promise" or "Dumpster Fire" - it stinks. And if IMDB is correct in their credits, that Fraydun Manocherian was the writer, producer and director... then this movie has a future in being a satirical comedy like Revenge of the Sun Demon.
It doesn't matter if lines are cliche, if the lead up to certain moments are predictable - these have also been done with some level of success by other movies.
But you can't get around bad casting, horrible music, sub-par editing and terrible movie lines.
The lead actor was simply pedestrian. He was abrupt, cheesy and distant. He's difficult to relate with and having a "hair always in place" image makes him look like he got the lead role because he won a raffle somewhere. I can't sympathize with his plight because he looks like a nefarious timeshare salesman.
Ione Skye was simply not used in the right way - her lines were horrible while spending most of her camera time brooding. How can you cheer for her?
In the sidewalk cafe scene, she says "I don't know why I feel comfortable telling you about myself..." - really? How did the audience get there? And they had to bring in some angle that her husband died in the Iraqi war - which is why she hasn't dated? OMG - who wrote that?
Ione Skye - "I'm sick of all these secrets" (the movie did not fully establish many secrets - it was one phone call).
Victor Alfieri - (after a long absence and misunderstanding) "Diane, I need to talk to you" and bam, gratuitous sex scene. What?
Why do writers and directors keep putting actors in situations that normal people would never do yet they expect an emotional attachment to their characters?
The comedic attempts - horrible. If your actors can't deliver the humor, you shouldn't attempt these.
The music was the worst - you can somewhat salvage something with good background music but wow!!! The music used when they're walking... the music used while with her parents... and more - it's a plane crash about to happen.
They can name this movie "My Father's Will" or "My Secret Billionaire" or "A Secret Promise" or "Dumpster Fire" - it stinks. And if IMDB is correct in their credits, that Fraydun Manocherian was the writer, producer and director... then this movie has a future in being a satirical comedy like Revenge of the Sun Demon.
Sweet But Kind of Shallow
garyhvizdak11 July 2021
I enjoyed it, but it felt kind of shallow as if lacking character development. In hindsight, I wonder if perhaps the movie died on the cutting room floor, i.e. In the editing process. For me, one of the high points of the entire movie was the brief scene with the hotdog vendor, the morning of Ferro's second day in NYC. I also wonder why there was no explanation of Diana and Pita's relationship, i.e. Why was Diana crashing on Pita's sofa? Or did I miss something? Also, pretty much all of the business dealings (on both coasts) seemed lame. A few bright spots were some of the supporting characters, even if they were a bit over-the-top.
Dated Hallmark Wanabe Romance
fsogfan8 April 2021
WARNING: Watch it if you're really bored and there are no other options.
This is a 2021 re-release of the 2009 rom-com, A Secret Promise. Explains why the clothes, hair styles and automobiles are so dated and why a flip phone is their idea of top of the line high tech.
Poor dialog, bad editing and mediocre acting makes this difficult to watch. Initially it has great visuals and a promising Harlequin romance storyline but it goes downhill pretty fast. Wished they had applied some of the formula writing and shooting used in romance films released by Hallmark or Lifetime. Instead it's a clumsy attempt at what could have been a decent rom-com.
This is a 2021 re-release of the 2009 rom-com, A Secret Promise. Explains why the clothes, hair styles and automobiles are so dated and why a flip phone is their idea of top of the line high tech.
Poor dialog, bad editing and mediocre acting makes this difficult to watch. Initially it has great visuals and a promising Harlequin romance storyline but it goes downhill pretty fast. Wished they had applied some of the formula writing and shooting used in romance films released by Hallmark or Lifetime. Instead it's a clumsy attempt at what could have been a decent rom-com.
Worth watching (aka my secret billionaire)
mavred15 January 2024
This movie is complex to review. On the surface the production, acting and writing is, at times, well below what you might expect today.
The story moves too fast and there are large jumps where you just have to accept that the characters got from point A to B (as the leap is not supported by what's happening on the screen). The two leads don't have great chemistry and I can't really get emotionally connected to their journey together.
The core of the story is better than your average movie of this type but there are a ton of areas where they cut the story short in order to move the plot along. This movie would have been better served to have been edited differently or have been an extra 7 to 10 min longer to help sell the character development and their relationship a bit better.
However, despite all the shortcomings I liked both leads and the supporting cast. While I didn't see chemistry between them I did buy into each of their individual journeys and cared that they both found happiness.
I also very much enjoyed the movie (I've watched it twice now) and I think as a whole it's a lot better than many contemporary movies of its type even though it has serious shortcomings.
The story moves too fast and there are large jumps where you just have to accept that the characters got from point A to B (as the leap is not supported by what's happening on the screen). The two leads don't have great chemistry and I can't really get emotionally connected to their journey together.
The core of the story is better than your average movie of this type but there are a ton of areas where they cut the story short in order to move the plot along. This movie would have been better served to have been edited differently or have been an extra 7 to 10 min longer to help sell the character development and their relationship a bit better.
However, despite all the shortcomings I liked both leads and the supporting cast. While I didn't see chemistry between them I did buy into each of their individual journeys and cared that they both found happiness.
I also very much enjoyed the movie (I've watched it twice now) and I think as a whole it's a lot better than many contemporary movies of its type even though it has serious shortcomings.
A 2021 Movie... Really?
calvinactus10 April 2021
Right from the start, something felt off with that movie. Not event 5 minutes in and you're wondering if you're watching the right movie. Well, if it feels cheesy and stale, that's because it's a 2009 movie rebranded as a new one.
Terrific movie.
Phylar14 November 2010
I thought My Father's Will was a charming movie that really resonated with me. I liked the Italian 0ld world father who was dying but still needed to extract one more promise from his son.
I understood the conflicted son who decided to appease a dying old man so that he would never have a guilty conscience.
And of course I loved that once the son took a month off without pay as a survival test, he was able to overcome obstacles and fall in love with a woman who appreciated his intrinsic worth and not his bank balance.
I felt this movie was an old fashioned Cinderella type fairy tale--the kind of movie that is seldom made in the 21st century.
No over the top special effects but just real people with real emotions.
I also thought the cast was wonderful especially Alfieri.
I understood the conflicted son who decided to appease a dying old man so that he would never have a guilty conscience.
And of course I loved that once the son took a month off without pay as a survival test, he was able to overcome obstacles and fall in love with a woman who appreciated his intrinsic worth and not his bank balance.
I felt this movie was an old fashioned Cinderella type fairy tale--the kind of movie that is seldom made in the 21st century.
No over the top special effects but just real people with real emotions.
I also thought the cast was wonderful especially Alfieri.
An old movie retitled
pianowil-9587113 April 2021
Atrocious
timsallwrite22 March 2021
Terrible writing. Acting isn't much better. Predictable plot. Seems like the movie was written in 1980. It's enjoyable to watch if you want a good laugh. At one point, a lady is using a rotary phone to make a call. What century is this? Wasn't this movie released in 2021? It's worth watching if you like to cringe. Like Fatal Findings by Neil Breen.
Life Stinks??
neilgodfreyyk1-209-87532613 May 2018
Fun, escapist, fantasy fulfillment
timzart11 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Even if this was recycled from 2009, I'd put this near the top of the heap for a romance in the Hallmark/Lifetime channel (it isn't either) style. Both the lead actors were very good, extremely attractive and the plot, although unrealistic, even preposterous (his father's dying request), was witty and fun. It never seemed to take itself too seriously.
There were elements that were realistic though. Everyone wants to be loved not for their money or their career, but for something that just happens between two people, sometimes in spite of the less-than-ideal circumstances of how they meet. And these two meet in a pretty original and funny way.
There were elements that were realistic though. Everyone wants to be loved not for their money or their career, but for something that just happens between two people, sometimes in spite of the less-than-ideal circumstances of how they meet. And these two meet in a pretty original and funny way.
Don't
room-412035 July 2021
Such a lovely movie
nicers9 April 2021
Very Formaulated. You see the story coming a mile away!
subxerogravity24 June 2016
On his father's death bed, a young Dot com billionaire promises to give up his fortune for 30 days and live his life penniless.
It's not hard to guess the outcome, although I would have expected to learn more from the outcome, but I did not. If it's attempting to put a moral in my head I may be too poor to understand.
If I'm not mistaken, I herd it's based on a true story and if that is true, that's far worse for me because the movie does not even sugar coat the concept that Billionaires have got it all.
It's one of those stereotypical romantic comedic style concepts. It has a strong independent female lead, that's over shadowed by the overall plot.
I give some credit to the lead actor who played the Homeless Billionaire. He has the charisma to make this mediocre film a little less mediocre.
It does have a few laughs but they're weak. Makes for come giggles but no chuckles.
I don't mind a formulated plot, some of the best movies have them. It's what you fill into those plots that make it interesting, but the weak comedy with a weak lesson I cannot relate to makes for a boring film.
It's not hard to guess the outcome, although I would have expected to learn more from the outcome, but I did not. If it's attempting to put a moral in my head I may be too poor to understand.
If I'm not mistaken, I herd it's based on a true story and if that is true, that's far worse for me because the movie does not even sugar coat the concept that Billionaires have got it all.
It's one of those stereotypical romantic comedic style concepts. It has a strong independent female lead, that's over shadowed by the overall plot.
I give some credit to the lead actor who played the Homeless Billionaire. He has the charisma to make this mediocre film a little less mediocre.
It does have a few laughs but they're weak. Makes for come giggles but no chuckles.
I don't mind a formulated plot, some of the best movies have them. It's what you fill into those plots that make it interesting, but the weak comedy with a weak lesson I cannot relate to makes for a boring film.
Dull
atooke-446-37342321 March 2022
A wonderful movie with an up lifting message
rebarrera-3204121 March 2021
I loved the movie. A great feel good and uplifting evening with a great message we all already know ... when you give from the heart without conditions, without expectations of return you get it back 10 x10 ... :)
Yeah, the story has been told time and time again, but it is always nice to hear it again.
Highly recommended
Poor Ione Skye. She deserves better.
gibson-claudia14 April 2022
This is a really terrible movie. I was curious about it because I saw Ione Skye's name and I have loved her ever since Say Anything.
It's so atrocious. The leading man isn't bad, but he isn't given much. All the other parts are so terrible. Even the wonderful Talia Shire is reduced to a stereotypical busybody mom role.
The script seems like it was written by someone very untalented, and maybe someone with a lot of money got it made as a vanity project. At least some actors got to work. Oh yes and it's a recycled film I guess.
It's so atrocious. The leading man isn't bad, but he isn't given much. All the other parts are so terrible. Even the wonderful Talia Shire is reduced to a stereotypical busybody mom role.
The script seems like it was written by someone very untalented, and maybe someone with a lot of money got it made as a vanity project. At least some actors got to work. Oh yes and it's a recycled film I guess.
So, so stupid.
cordeilla1 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I don't even know where to start with this film. Could it be the hammy music? The awful dialogue? The terrible acting? The plot which made me want to claw my eyes out? Or the MMC breaking the fourth wall with a "hilarious" eye roll to camera as a dog was humping his leg?
This movie could have been good with anyone else writing and directing it - the premise of a "secret billionaire" has been done before, much better, so it wouldn't have been hard to make something watchable, but no. We have this.
The FMC is a wet mop, who overreacts to something so trivia and runs off, l I actually guffawed and swore out loud at the ridiculousness of it.
Don't even get me started on the FMC telling her awful boss to F off and suddenly going into business with the MMC and getting this new real estate business up and running mere days after quitting - they have found premises in NYC, have got incorporated, hired staff and are making money after 2 days? Really! (The whole storyline in New York is supposed to take a month and somehow they meet and she's fallen in love with him in what, a week? Two? Then they are in business together the day after?)
God, it's just so awful.
They then have sex and still he doesn't tell her the truth that "surprise, I'm a billionaire." Kill me. Kill me now. But it's ok because whisks her off to California and he promised her "no more secrets" but they get off the plane and SURPRISE! Another secret! At this point I was actively groaning in pain at Ione Skye's gormless expression as she tried to act angry? Surprised? Shocked? Who knows. But hey ho, it's ok because Ferro is richy rich rich and suddenly they are in lurve and this is the part where you'll have to grab something to puke into.
It's bad. It's so bad. Watch if you like torturing yourself.
This movie could have been good with anyone else writing and directing it - the premise of a "secret billionaire" has been done before, much better, so it wouldn't have been hard to make something watchable, but no. We have this.
The FMC is a wet mop, who overreacts to something so trivia and runs off, l I actually guffawed and swore out loud at the ridiculousness of it.
Don't even get me started on the FMC telling her awful boss to F off and suddenly going into business with the MMC and getting this new real estate business up and running mere days after quitting - they have found premises in NYC, have got incorporated, hired staff and are making money after 2 days? Really! (The whole storyline in New York is supposed to take a month and somehow they meet and she's fallen in love with him in what, a week? Two? Then they are in business together the day after?)
God, it's just so awful.
They then have sex and still he doesn't tell her the truth that "surprise, I'm a billionaire." Kill me. Kill me now. But it's ok because whisks her off to California and he promised her "no more secrets" but they get off the plane and SURPRISE! Another secret! At this point I was actively groaning in pain at Ione Skye's gormless expression as she tried to act angry? Surprised? Shocked? Who knows. But hey ho, it's ok because Ferro is richy rich rich and suddenly they are in lurve and this is the part where you'll have to grab something to puke into.
It's bad. It's so bad. Watch if you like torturing yourself.
Terrible
ckmmqq27 April 2022
The story would be ok if not for the horrific acting. The female lead is miscast and terrible. This is suppose to be a romance but there is zero chemistry between the leads. The lead male would be ok given the proper female but this is a truely boring shit show from start to finish. Don't waste your time.
If a film was...written, directed and acted by AI
jqyjqmpxt29 November 2023
It was hard to place the era this film was set in, makeup from the 80s, hair from the 90s, clothes from the 60s and music from a period drama.
Honestly - absolutely no effort, talent or money was applied to this movie. The script was so bad that my brain was telling me it was dubbed, in fact I truly believe this film was entirely made by AI as it lacks creativity, emotion and any understanding of how humans feel, behave and show up in the world.
I don't recognize any of the actors as I assume they either exist only in pixels or gave up acting on the account of not being very good at it.
This one is for fans of truly terrible films only.
Honestly - absolutely no effort, talent or money was applied to this movie. The script was so bad that my brain was telling me it was dubbed, in fact I truly believe this film was entirely made by AI as it lacks creativity, emotion and any understanding of how humans feel, behave and show up in the world.
I don't recognize any of the actors as I assume they either exist only in pixels or gave up acting on the account of not being very good at it.
This one is for fans of truly terrible films only.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
