Grow Review – A Refined Pumpkin Growing Caper Filled with Perky Charm and Comedic Talent
This upbeat British children's film features a team of five scribes listed for the screenplay, including two who provided “extra content”. This might clarify why the story beats progress with such metronomic precision, 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 chooses organic methods motivated by her gifted niece Charlie, who feels the feelings of plants by touching them.
A Growing Bond and a Prize Pumpkin
Recently introduced, for motives the otherwise sleek screenplay doesn't clarify, Charlie and Dinah bond with one another across a few seasons – which aligns with the duration needed to cultivate a pumpkin for the annual village competition. Charlie aims to utilize the award cash to find her mother, said to have left for become a movie star in California.
The ensemble cast is packed with delightful humorous roles from seasoned UK performers.
Notable Cameos and Villainous Rivals
The maternal figure later emerges portrayed by a well-known actress, similar to Rosheuvel, has a background in hit shows. Additionally, the lineup features an eccentric gardener played by Nick Frost, who offers advice on growing pumpkins for the duo. Meanwhile, Jane Horrocks and Tim McInnerny depict the Smythe-Gherkins, the evil local elites set on winning the competition for glory alone since they don’t need the monetary reward.
- Nick Frost excels as a hippy horticulturist.
- The antagonists bring humorous conflict as affluent competitors.
- Young Dominic McLaughlin plays Charlie’s school friend 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 no surprise he has been cast for a leading part in an upcoming series. Filmmaker John McPhail maintains a lighthearted humorous vibe and stays unobtrusive with what is destined to be suitable evening family fun during a particular time of year.