Film Analysis: Grow – A Refined Pumpkin Growing Caper Filled with Perky Charm and Humor Expertise
This upbeat British children's film features a team of five scribes credited for the screenplay, including two who provided “additional material”. This could explain why the story beats unfold with clockwork accuracy, and the characters feel as if they were cultivated hydroponically in a lab. Ironically, the setting is a homestead farm where agronomist-owner Dinah decides to go organic motivated by her gifted niece Charlie, who feels the feelings of plants by touching them.
A Budding Relationship and a Contest-Winning Gourd
Recently introduced, for motives the otherwise polished script fails to explain, Dinah and Charlie bond with one another over several seasons – which aligns with the duration needed to cultivate a pumpkin for the annual village competition. Charlie aims to use the prize money to locate her mom, said to have run off to pursue stardom in California.
The supporting cast is packed with delightful humorous roles from seasoned UK performers.
Notable Cameos and Villainous Rivals
The mother character eventually appears portrayed by a familiar face, similar to Rosheuvel, comes from in popular series. Moreover, the cast includes a quirky horticulturist portrayed by Nick Frost, who offers pumpkin-growing tips to Dinah and Charlie. At the same time, Tim McInnerny and Jane Horrocks depict the Smythe-Gherkins, the villainous upper-class neighbors set on winning the competition 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.
Youthful Talent and Filmmaking Style
Though his Scottish accent appears a bit random in this context, his dry underplaying and humor sense are so skillful it’s no surprise he was chosen for a leading part in an upcoming series. Filmmaker John McPhail maintains a buoyant comedy tone and stays unobtrusive with what is meant to serve as pre-bedtime entertainment during a particular time of year.
