Film Analysis: Grow – A Polished Gourd Cultivation Adventure Brimming with Perky Charm and Comedic Talent
This upbeat British children's film boasts a team of five scribes listed with the script, with a pair who contributed “additional material”. This might clarify why the story beats progress with clockwork accuracy, and the characters seem as though they were developed in a controlled environment. Paradoxically, the backdrop is a family-run farm where agronomist-owner Dinah chooses organic methods motivated by her magical niece Charlie, who feels the feelings of plants by touching them.
A Budding Relationship and a Prize Pumpkin
Recently introduced, for reasons the otherwise polished script fails to explain, Charlie and Dinah bond with one another over several seasons – which coincides with the time required to cultivate a pumpkin for the local yearly contest. Charlie hopes to use the prize money to locate her mom, said to have left for become a movie star in California.
The ensemble cast is packed with charming comic performances from seasoned UK performers.
Star-Studded Appearances and Villainous Rivals
The mother character later emerges portrayed by a familiar face, who, like Rosheuvel, comes from in hit shows. Additionally, the lineup features an eccentric gardener played by Nick Frost, who offers pumpkin-growing tips for the duo. At the same time, Tim McInnerny and Jane Horrocks play the Smythe-Gherkins, the evil local elites set on winning the contest purely for prestige since they don’t need the cash prize.
- Nick Frost excels as a hippy horticulturist.
- The antagonists bring humorous conflict as affluent competitors.
- The youthful Dominic McLaughlin plays Charlie’s school friend Oliver.
Young Actor's Skill and Filmmaking Style
While his Scottish tone seems somewhat out of place in this context, his dry underplaying and comic timing are so skillful it’s no surprise he was chosen for a major role in an upcoming series. Filmmaker John McPhail maintains a lighthearted humorous vibe and doesn’t interfere with what is meant to serve as evening family fun for a specific seasonal period.
