Grow Review – A Polished Gourd Cultivation Adventure Filled with Perky Charm and Humor Expertise
This upbeat UK family movie boasts a team of five scribes credited for the screenplay, including two who contributed “extra content”. This could explain why the story beats progress with clockwork accuracy, and the characters seem as though they were developed in a controlled environment. Ironically, the backdrop is a homestead farm where farm-owner Dinah, an agronomist decides to go organic motivated by her magical niece Charlie, who feels the feelings of plants through touch.
A Budding Relationship and a Contest-Winning Gourd
Recently introduced, for reasons the otherwise sleek screenplay doesn't clarify, Charlie and Dinah get to know each other over several seasons – which aligns with the time required to cultivate a pumpkin for the annual village competition. Charlie hopes to utilize the award cash to locate her mom, rumored to have run off to become a movie star in the US.
The ensemble cast is filled with charming comic performances from seasoned UK performers.
Star-Studded Appearances and Villainous Rivals
The mother character later emerges played by a well-known actress, who, like Rosheuvel, comes from in hit shows. Moreover, the cast includes a quirky horticulturist portrayed by Nick Frost, who offers pumpkin-growing tips to Dinah and Charlie. Meanwhile, Jane Horrocks and Tim McInnerny play the Smythe-Gherkins, the evil local elites set on winning the contest for glory alone as they lack need for the cash prize.
- Nick Frost excels in the role of a bohemian gardener.
- The antagonists bring humorous conflict as wealthy rivals.
- The youthful Dominic McLaughlin plays Charlie’s school friend Oliver.
Young Actor's Skill and Filmmaking Style
Though his Scottish accent seems somewhat out of place in this setting, his dry underplaying and humor sense are so skillful it’s expected he has been cast for a leading part in a future show. Filmmaker John McPhail keeps a buoyant comedy tone and stays unobtrusive with what is destined to serve as pre-bedtime entertainment during a particular time of year.
