Grow Review – A Polished Pumpkin Growing Caper Filled with Lively Appeal and Humor Expertise
This upbeat UK family movie features a team of five scribes listed for the screenplay, with a pair who contributed “extra content”. This might clarify why the story beats progress with such metronomic precision, and the characters feel as if they were developed hydroponically in a lab. Ironically, the backdrop is a homestead farm where agronomist-owner Dinah chooses organic methods motivated by her gifted niece Charlie, who can sense the feelings of plants by touching them.
A Growing Bond and a Prize Pumpkin
Recently introduced, for reasons the otherwise sleek screenplay fails to explain, Charlie and Dinah get to know each other over several seasons – which aligns with the duration needed to cultivate a pumpkin for the local yearly contest. Charlie hopes to use the prize money to find her mother, said to have run off to pursue stardom in California.
The supporting cast is filled with delightful humorous roles by veteran British actors.
Star-Studded Appearances and Antagonistic Foes
The maternal figure eventually appears portrayed by a well-known actress, similar to Rosheuvel, has a background in popular series. Moreover, the lineup features an eccentric gardener portrayed by Nick Frost, who provides advice on growing pumpkins to Dinah and Charlie. At the same time, Tim McInnerny and Jane Horrocks depict the Smythe-Gherkins, the villainous upper-class neighbors determined to win the competition for glory alone since they don’t need the cash prize.
- Nick Frost excels in the role of a bohemian gardener.
- The antagonists add comedic tension as affluent competitors.
- Young Dominic McLaughlin stars as Charlie’s pal Oliver.
Young Actor's Skill and Filmmaking Style
While his Scottish tone appears a bit random in this context, his dry underplaying and comic timing are so adept it’s expected he was chosen for a major role in a future show. Filmmaker John McPhail maintains a buoyant comedy tone and stays unobtrusive with what is destined to be suitable pre-bedtime entertainment during a particular time of year.