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Overview

User Rating:
5.4/10   112 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 3% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
Steve Collins (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Gretchen on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
2006 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
Gretchen has bigger problems than abysmal fashion sense: She's 17, painfully awkward and stuck in the most unforgiving place on earth - high school... more | add synopsis
Awards:
1 win more
NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
DVD Review: Gretchen
 (From Slackerwood. 18 November 2009, 6:00 AM, PST)

Slackery News Tidbits Fight Melancholy
 (From Slackerwood. 29 October 2009, 6:00 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
Reminiscent of "Punch Drunk Love" more (8 total)

Cast

  (Credited cast)
Courtney Davis ... Gretchen

John Merriman ... Ricky Marichino
Becky Ann Baker ... Lori

Stephen Root ... Herb

Macon Blair ... Nick Rangoon
Yasmine Kittles ... Marla Auschussler

Peyton Hayslip ... Miss Jennings

Soshi ... Eugene

Andy White ... Nathan

Hallie Martin ... Susie

Adam Powell ... Heinbender

Joseph Cheatham ... Jeep

Andrea Lee ... Burger Joint Customer
rest of cast listed alphabetically:

L.B. Bartholomee ... Principal Ackenback (as Lowell Bartholomee)

Monika Bustamante ... Becca
Lee Eddy ... Wolf

Sara Emami ... Wallflower

Michelle Frey ... Megan
Paul Gordon ... Jeff
Jim Hamilton ... Jeremy
Heather Hanna ... Mrs. Doobler
Jessica Hedrick ... Jenny
Matt Hislope ... Billy Heskitt
Margaret Hoard ... Mrs. Nairn
Kevin Klee ... Phil
Jenny M. Larson ... Charlene (as Jenny Larson)
Melba Martinez ... Miss Rhoinos
Helen Merino ... Mrs. Lorenson
Carolyn Merriman ... Shelly

Josh Meyer ... Charles
Caroline Mithoff ... Margot
Christine Moore ... Nurse Goodale (as Christina J. Moore)
Gina Pollard ... Candy
Carlos Trevino ... Rich
more
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Gretchen Finkle (USA) (working title)
more
Runtime:
Greece:98 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.78 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:
Company:

Fun Stuff

Goofs:
Continuity: The mysterious caller tells Gretchen to meet her at the racetrack at dawn. Yet in the very next scene when Gretchen arrives at the racetrack at presumably the appointed hour, it is clearly mid-day as indicated by the bright sunlight and shadows directly underneath Gretchen and her car. more
Soundtrack:
Canon and Gigue in D Major: 1. Canon more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
13 out of 17 people found the following comment useful.
Reminiscent of "Punch Drunk Love", 19 March 2006
9/10
Author: backwardsjen from United States

"Gretchen" is a sweet, funny coming of age movie about Gretchen Finkle – the most awkward 17 year old you've ever met. She dresses like she's twelve, hasn't been past second base, and has less than zero self-confidence. She seems to only be attracted to loser guys who treat her terribly, and the movie is about her journey to figure out why that is.

The director walks a fine line between making fun of Gretchen and letting her break your heart, and some people might not get it. I thought the tone was refreshing, and totally different than most "teen" movies (In the end, Gretchen might not become a popular cheerleader or "get the guy", but you still cheer for her all the way.) The actors aren't actually in their teens, however, which is part of what makes it funny. This is a movie made by adults who are looking back on those high school years, and commenting on how over-the-top dramatic everything was. It's funny, and painful.

I watched "Punch Drunk Love" again the other day, and realized that "Gretchen" is much more similar to this movie than to "Napoleon Dynamite" or "Welcome to the Dollhouse" (the two movies that I've seen it often get compared to). Gretchen is like a teenage version of Barry – lonely, scared, and harboring a pent-up rage that comes out in totally the wrong ways (Barry smashes a glass door; Gretchen scratches a classmate in the face). But unlike Barry, Gretchen hasn't yet met the person that's going to help her come out of her shell. We're just dropping in on her painful high school period.

"Gretchen" also has a similar tone to "Punch Drunk Love" (the way it skirts the line between comedy and drama), and there is a similarity in the look of both movies (precise compositions, dead-center framing, or the way the camera will rest for a long painful close up of Gretchen's face). Overall, if you enjoyed "Punch Drunk Love", I think you will probably enjoy "Gretchen".

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