Film Analysis: Grow – A Refined Gourd Cultivation Adventure Brimming with Perky Charm and Comedic Talent
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 clockwork accuracy, and the characters seem as though they were developed hydroponically in a lab. Paradoxically, the setting is a family-run farm where farm-owner Dinah, an agronomist decides to go organic motivated by her magical niece Charlie, who feels the feelings of plants through touch.
A Budding Relationship and a Contest-Winning Gourd
Having only recently met, for reasons the otherwise polished script fails to explain, Charlie and Dinah get to know each other across a few seasons – which coincides with the time required to cultivate a pumpkin for the local yearly contest. Charlie hopes to utilize the award cash to locate her mom, rumored to have run off to pursue stardom in California.
The ensemble cast is packed with charming comic performances from seasoned UK performers.
Star-Studded Appearances and Villainous Rivals
The mother character later emerges portrayed by a familiar face, who, like Rosheuvel, comes from in popular series. Moreover, the cast includes a quirky horticulturist portrayed by Nick Frost, who provides advice on growing pumpkins for the duo. At the same time, Jane Horrocks and Tim McInnerny depict the Smythe-Gherkins, the villainous upper-class neighbors set on winning the competition purely for prestige as they lack need for the cash prize.
- Nick Frost shines in the role of a bohemian gardener.
- The foes bring humorous conflict as affluent competitors.
- Young Dominic McLaughlin plays Charlie’s school friend Oliver.
Young Actor's Skill and Directorial Flair
While his Scottish tone appears a bit random in this setting, his subtle performance and humor sense are so adept it’s expected he was chosen for a leading part in an upcoming series. Filmmaker John McPhail maintains a buoyant comedy tone and stays unobtrusive with what is destined to be suitable pre-bedtime entertainment for a specific seasonal period.
