Film Analysis: Grow – A Refined Gourd Cultivation Adventure Filled with Perky Charm and Comedic Talent

This lively UK family movie boasts a team of five scribes credited for the screenplay, with a pair who contributed “extra content”. This could explain why the story beats progress with clockwork accuracy, and the characters feel as if they were developed hydroponically in a lab. Ironically, the setting is a homestead farm where agronomist-owner Dinah decides to go organic after being inspired by her magical niece Charlie, who feels plants’ emotions by touching them.

A Budding Relationship and a Prize Pumpkin

Having only recently met, for motives the otherwise polished script fails to explain, Dinah and Charlie bond with one another over several seasons – which aligns with the time required to cultivate a pumpkin for the local yearly contest. Charlie aims to utilize the award cash to locate her mom, said to have run off to pursue stardom in California.

The ensemble cast is packed with charming comic performances from seasoned UK performers.

Notable Cameos and Villainous Rivals

The mother character later emerges portrayed by a familiar face, who, like Rosheuvel, comes from in hit shows. Additionally, the cast includes an eccentric gardener played by Nick Frost, who provides advice on growing pumpkins to Dinah and Charlie. At the same time, Tim McInnerny and Jane Horrocks play the Smythe-Gherkins, the villainous upper-class neighbors set on winning the competition for glory alone as they lack need for the cash prize.

• Nick Frost excels in the role of a bohemian gardener.
• The foes add comedic tension as wealthy rivals.
• The youthful Dominic McLaughlin plays Charlie’s school friend Oliver.

Youthful Talent and Filmmaking Style

While his Scottish tone seems somewhat out of place in this setting, his dry underplaying and comic timing are so adept it’s no surprise he has been cast for a major role in a future show. Director John McPhail keeps a buoyant comedy tone and doesn’t interfere with what is meant to serve as evening family fun during a particular time of year.