Gretchen (2006/I)

Director:

Steve Collins

Writer:

Steve Collins (writer)

Release Date:

2006 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

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...

Plot Keywords:

One Word Title | Character Name In Title | Title Spoken By Character

Awards:

1 win

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

Also Known As:

Gretchen Finkle (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

Greece:98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

Film Science

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.

Soundtrack:

Canon and Gigue in D Major: 1. Canon

Reminiscent of "Punch Drunk Love"

"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".