Grow Review – A Polished Gourd Cultivation Adventure Brimming with Perky Charm and Comedic Talent
This lively British children's film boasts a team of five scribes credited for the screenplay, with a pair who contributed “additional material”. This might clarify why the narrative rhythm progress with such metronomic precision, while the personalities seem as though they were cultivated in a controlled environment. Paradoxically, the setting is a homestead farm where farm-owner Dinah, an agronomist chooses organic methods after being inspired by her gifted niece Charlie, who can sense the feelings of plants through touch.
A Budding Relationship and a Contest-Winning Gourd
Recently introduced, for reasons the otherwise sleek screenplay fails to explain, Charlie and Dinah bond with one another across a few seasons – which aligns with the duration needed to cultivate a pumpkin for the local yearly contest. Charlie hopes to use the prize money to find her mother, rumored to have run off to become a movie star in California.
The supporting cast is filled with delightful humorous roles from seasoned UK performers.
Notable Cameos and Antagonistic Foes
The maternal figure later emerges played by a well-known actress, who, like Rosheuvel, has a background in popular series. Moreover, the cast includes a quirky horticulturist played by Nick Frost, who offers pumpkin-growing tips for the duo. Meanwhile, Jane Horrocks and Tim McInnerny play the Smythe-Gherkins, the evil local elites determined to win the competition for glory alone as they lack need for the monetary reward.
- Nick Frost shines in the role of a bohemian gardener.
- The foes add comedic tension as affluent competitors.
- Young Dominic McLaughlin stars as Charlie’s pal Oliver.
Youthful Talent and Directorial Flair
Though his Scottish accent appears a bit random in this setting, his dry underplaying and humor sense are so adept it’s no surprise he was chosen for a major role in a future show. Director John McPhail maintains a buoyant comedy tone and doesn’t interfere with what is meant to be suitable pre-bedtime entertainment during a particular time of year.
