Film Analysis: Grow – A Polished Pumpkin Growing Caper Filled with Lively Appeal and Comedic Talent
This lively UK family movie boasts a team of five scribes listed with the script, with a pair who provided “additional material”. This could explain why the story beats unfold with such metronomic precision, while the personalities feel as if they were developed hydroponically in a lab. Ironically, the setting is a homestead farm where farm-owner Dinah, an agronomist decides to go organic after being inspired by her magical niece Charlie, who feels the feelings of plants by touching them.
A Growing Bond and a Contest-Winning Gourd
Recently introduced, for motives the otherwise polished script doesn't clarify, Dinah and Charlie get to know each other over several seasons – which coincides with the duration needed to cultivate a pumpkin for the annual village competition. Charlie aims to use the prize money to find her mother, said to have left for pursue stardom in the US.
The supporting cast is filled with delightful humorous roles by veteran British actors.
Star-Studded Appearances and Antagonistic Foes
The mother character eventually appears portrayed by a familiar face, similar to Rosheuvel, has a background in popular series. Additionally, the cast includes an eccentric gardener played by Nick Frost, who offers advice on growing pumpkins for the duo. At the same time, Jane Horrocks and Tim McInnerny play the Smythe-Gherkins, the evil local elites set on winning the competition purely for prestige as they lack need for the monetary reward.
- Nick Frost excels as a hippy horticulturist.
- The antagonists bring humorous conflict as wealthy rivals.
- Young 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 context, his subtle performance and comic timing are so skillful it’s no surprise he was chosen for a leading part in an upcoming series. Filmmaker John McPhail maintains a lighthearted humorous vibe and stays unobtrusive with what is destined to serve as pre-bedtime entertainment for a specific seasonal period.