Grow Review – A Refined Pumpkin Growing Caper Brimming with Lively Appeal and Comedic Talent
This upbeat UK family movie features a team of five scribes credited for the screenplay, with a pair who contributed “additional material”. This could explain why the narrative rhythm progress with such metronomic precision, and the characters seem as though they were developed hydroponically in a lab. Ironically, the setting is a homestead farm where farm-owner Dinah, an agronomist chooses organic methods after being inspired by her gifted niece Charlie, who feels plants’ emotions through touch.
A Growing Bond and a Prize Pumpkin
Recently introduced, for motives the otherwise polished script fails to explain, Dinah and Charlie get to know each other over several seasons – which coincides with the time required to cultivate a pumpkin for the annual village competition. Charlie hopes to use the prize money to locate her mom, said to have run off to become a movie star in California.
The ensemble cast is packed with charming comic performances by veteran British actors.
Notable Cameos and Villainous Rivals
The mother character eventually appears played by a well-known actress, who, like Rosheuvel, has a background in hit shows. Moreover, the lineup features an eccentric gardener played by Nick Frost, who offers advice on growing pumpkins for the duo. At the same time, Jane Horrocks and Tim McInnerny depict the Smythe-Gherkins, the evil local elites set on winning the contest purely for prestige since they don’t need the monetary reward.
- Nick Frost shines in the role of a bohemian gardener.
- The antagonists add comedic tension as wealthy rivals.
- Young Dominic McLaughlin plays Charlie’s school friend Oliver.
Youthful Talent and Filmmaking Style
While his Scottish tone appears a bit random in this setting, his subtle performance and humor sense are so skillful it’s no surprise he was chosen for a major role in an upcoming series. Filmmaker John McPhail keeps a buoyant comedy tone and doesn’t interfere with what is destined to serve as evening family fun during a particular time of year.
