Film Analysis: Grow – A Refined Gourd Cultivation Adventure Filled with Lively Appeal and Comedic Talent
This upbeat UK family movie boasts a team of five scribes credited for the screenplay, with a pair who contributed “additional material”. This could explain why the narrative rhythm progress with such metronomic precision, while the personalities feel as if they were developed in a controlled environment. Ironically, the setting is a family-run farm where agronomist-owner Dinah decides to go organic motivated by her gifted niece Charlie, who can sense plants’ emotions through touch.
A Budding Relationship and a Prize Pumpkin
Having only recently met, for reasons the otherwise polished script fails to explain, Dinah and Charlie bond with one another over several seasons – which coincides with the duration needed to cultivate a pumpkin for the local yearly contest. Charlie hopes to use the prize money to locate her mom, rumored to have run off to become a movie star in California.
The supporting cast is packed with charming comic performances by veteran British actors.
Notable Cameos and Villainous Rivals
The maternal figure later emerges portrayed by a familiar face, similar to Rosheuvel, comes from in popular series. Moreover, the cast includes an eccentric gardener played by Nick Frost, who offers advice on growing pumpkins to Dinah and Charlie. At the same time, Tim McInnerny and Jane Horrocks play the Smythe-Gherkins, the evil local elites determined to win the contest purely for prestige as they lack need for the cash prize.
- Nick Frost shines in the role of a bohemian gardener.
- The antagonists bring humorous conflict as affluent competitors.
- Young Dominic McLaughlin stars as Charlie’s pal Oliver.
Youthful Talent and Filmmaking Style
While his Scottish tone appears a bit random in this setting, his subtle performance and comic timing are so adept it’s expected he has been cast for a major role in an upcoming series. Director John McPhail maintains a lighthearted humorous vibe and stays unobtrusive with what is destined to serve as evening family fun during a particular time of year.
