Grow Review – A Polished Pumpkin Growing Caper Filled with Perky Charm and Humor Expertise
This upbeat British children's film boasts a team of five scribes credited for the screenplay, including two who contributed “additional material”. This could explain why the story beats unfold with such metronomic precision, and the characters seem as though they were cultivated in a controlled environment. Ironically, the backdrop is a homestead farm where agronomist-owner Dinah chooses organic methods motivated by her magical niece Charlie, who can sense the feelings of plants by touching them.
A Budding Relationship and a Contest-Winning Gourd
Having only recently met, for reasons the otherwise sleek screenplay fails to explain, Charlie and Dinah get to know each other across a few seasons – which aligns with the time required to cultivate a pumpkin for the local yearly contest. Charlie hopes to use the prize money to locate her mom, said to have left for pursue stardom in California.
The supporting cast is filled with delightful humorous roles by veteran British actors.
Star-Studded Appearances and Villainous Rivals
The mother character eventually appears portrayed by a well-known actress, who, like Rosheuvel, comes from in popular series. Moreover, the cast includes a quirky horticulturist portrayed by Nick Frost, who offers pumpkin-growing tips for the duo. At the same time, Jane Horrocks and Tim McInnerny play the Smythe-Gherkins, the villainous upper-class neighbors set on winning the competition for glory alone as they lack need for the monetary reward.
- Nick Frost excels as a hippy horticulturist.
- The antagonists add comedic tension as affluent competitors.
- The youthful Dominic McLaughlin plays Charlie’s school friend Oliver.
Young Actor's Skill and Filmmaking Style
While his Scottish tone seems somewhat out of place in this setting, his subtle performance and humor sense are so skillful it’s expected he has been cast for a major role in an upcoming series. Director John McPhail keeps a buoyant comedy tone and doesn’t interfere with what is meant to be suitable evening family fun during a particular time of year.
