Film Analysis: Grow – A Polished Pumpkin Growing Caper Brimming with Lively Appeal and Humor Expertise

This lively UK family movie features a team of five scribes credited with the script, with a pair who contributed “extra content”. This could explain why the narrative rhythm progress with such metronomic precision, while the personalities feel as if they were developed in a controlled environment. Paradoxically, the backdrop is a family-run farm where farm-owner Dinah, an agronomist decides to go organic motivated by her magical niece Charlie, who can sense the feelings of plants by touching them.

A Growing Bond 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 run off to become a movie star in the US.

The ensemble cast is packed with charming comic performances from seasoned UK performers.

Star-Studded Appearances and Villainous Rivals

The mother character eventually appears portrayed by a familiar face, who, like Rosheuvel, has a background in hit shows. Moreover, the cast includes a quirky horticulturist portrayed 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 since they don’t need 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.

Youthful Talent and Directorial Flair

Though his Scottish accent appears a bit random in this context, his dry underplaying and humor sense are so adept it’s expected he was chosen for a major role in an upcoming series. Filmmaker John McPhail keeps a lighthearted humorous vibe and stays unobtrusive with what is destined to serve as evening family fun for a specific seasonal period.

Grow debuts via Sky Cinema starting October 10. It is currently showing in Australian cinemas, and will appear in UK and US cinemas from October 17.

Jill Singleton
Jill Singleton

A seasoned civil engineer with over 15 years of experience in infrastructure projects and a passion for sustainable building practices.