Grow Review – A Refined Pumpkin Growing Caper Filled with Lively Appeal and Humor Expertise

This upbeat British children's film features five different writers listed for the screenplay, with a pair who provided “additional material”. This could explain why the narrative rhythm progress with such metronomic precision, and the characters feel as if they were developed hydroponically in a lab. Paradoxically, the setting is a homestead farm where agronomist-owner Dinah chooses organic methods after being inspired by her gifted niece Charlie, who feels plants’ emotions through touch.

A Budding Relationship and a Prize Pumpkin

Having only recently met, for reasons the otherwise sleek screenplay fails to explain, Dinah and Charlie get to know each other across a few seasons – which coincides with the time required to cultivate a pumpkin for the local yearly contest. Charlie aims to use the prize money to find her mother, said to have left for pursue stardom in California.

The supporting cast is packed with delightful humorous roles from seasoned UK performers.

Star-Studded Appearances and Villainous Rivals

The maternal figure later emerges portrayed by a well-known actress, who, like Rosheuvel, comes from in popular series. Moreover, the lineup features a quirky horticulturist played by Nick Frost, who provides pumpkin-growing tips to Dinah and Charlie. At the same time, Tim McInnerny and Jane Horrocks play the Smythe-Gherkins, the evil local elites determined to win the contest for glory alone as they lack need for the monetary reward.

• Nick Frost shines 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.

Youthful Talent and Directorial Flair

Though his Scottish accent appears a bit random in this context, his subtle performance and comic timing are so adept it’s expected he has been cast for a leading part in a future show. Filmmaker John McPhail keeps a buoyant comedy tone and doesn’t interfere with what is destined to serve as pre-bedtime entertainment for a specific seasonal period.