Gretl Wins First Prize: A weird, charming little lie

Is it worth your time?

If you're the kind of person who likes watching characters dig themselves into tiny, manageable holes, you'll probably dig this. It’s not exactly high art, but it’s got a sweet, awkward pulse. If you need your movies to be loud, fast, or packed with modern pacing, stay away. This isn't The Speed Hound. It’s slow, deliberate, and feels like it was filmed in someone’s living room.

Gretl is just… relatable in that frustrating way. You know the type. The one who works too hard and gets too little, then does something completely foolish because they just want to be somebody for once. I’ve seen that hunger before, though usually with less forgery involved.

The Lottery Lie

The whole bit with the fake ticket is handled with this weirdly casual energy. It’s not some grand thriller heist. She just… does it. It feels very human, like that impulse you get to lie about your job at a party because the truth is too boring. Watching the dominoes fall after that is the real show.

There’s a scene where she’s holding the ticket and her face just does this twitchy, nervous dance. It’s not an Oscar-winning moment or anything, but it’s real. You can almost see the gears grinding behind her eyes, calculating how many people are going to find out she’s a fraud.

• The radio station sequences are oddly quiet, like the world stops when she talks.
• Some of the supporting cast are clearly just there to fill space, but one guy in the background looks like he’s having a great time eating a sandwich during a tense conversation.
• The pacing is a bit like an accordion. It stretches out, then snaps back.

It’s not as polished as Broadway Lady, but that’s fine. It doesn’t want to be. Sometimes it feels like the director just let the camera roll while everyone figured out their marks. I kind of love that about it. It’s not trying to sell you a grand theme or a message about humanity.

It’s just a story about a girl who wanted a win. 🎟️

I found myself wondering if she ever actually wanted the money, or if she just wanted the attention that came with the ticket. That’s the part the movie doesn't really explain, and I’m glad it didn't. Some things are better left floating in the air.

Don't go in expecting a masterpiece. Go in expecting a rainy afternoon movie. It’s fine that way.