Grow Review – A Polished 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, including two who contributed “additional material”. This might clarify why the narrative rhythm unfold with such metronomic precision, while the personalities seem as though they were cultivated hydroponically in a lab. Paradoxically, the backdrop is a homestead farm where farm-owner Dinah, an agronomist decides to go organic after being inspired by her magical niece Charlie, who feels the feelings of plants through touch.
A Budding Relationship and a Prize Pumpkin
Recently introduced, for reasons the otherwise polished script fails to explain, Charlie and Dinah get to know each other across a few seasons – which aligns with the time required to grow a pumpkin for the annual village competition. Charlie aims to use the prize money to find her mother, said to have left for become a movie star in California.
The ensemble cast is packed with delightful humorous roles by veteran British actors.
Notable Cameos and Villainous Rivals
The mother character eventually appears played by a familiar face, similar to Rosheuvel, has a background in hit shows. Moreover, the cast includes an eccentric gardener portrayed by Nick Frost, who provides pumpkin-growing tips to Dinah and Charlie. Meanwhile, Tim McInnerny and Jane Horrocks depict the Smythe-Gherkins, the villainous upper-class neighbors set on winning the contest for glory alone since they don’t need the cash prize.
- Nick Frost shines in the role of a bohemian gardener.
- The foes bring humorous conflict as wealthy rivals.
- The youthful Dominic McLaughlin plays Charlie’s school friend Oliver.
Youthful Talent and Filmmaking Style
Though his Scottish accent appears a bit random in this setting, his subtle performance and comic timing are so adept it’s no surprise he was chosen for a leading part in an upcoming series. Director John McPhail keeps a buoyant comedy tone and stays unobtrusive with what is destined to be suitable evening family fun during a particular time of year.
