Grow Your Own (2007)

An English community gets testy when a refuge family is granted a plot of land on which to grow vegetables.

Director:

Richard Laxton

Writers:

Frank Cottrell Boyce (screenplay), Carl Hunter (screenplay)

Stars:

Benedict Wong, Eddie Marsan, Omid Djalili

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Benedict Wong	...	Kung Sang
Eddie Marsan	...	Little John
Omid Djalili	...	Ali
Alan Williams	...	Kenny
Philip Jackson	...	Big John
Pearce Quigley	...	Eddie
John Henshaw	...	Charlie
Olivia Colman	...	Alice
Joanna Scanlan	...	Barbara
Sarah Hadland	...	Carla
Roland Manookian	...	Mike
Diveen Henry	...	Miriam
Mel Raido	...	Nick
Sophie Stanton	...	Debbie
Sophie Lee	...	Phoenix

Storyline

Political refugees are given allotments as part of a scheme to help them fit into the local community. Reaction is mixed amongst the allotment holders of Blacktree Road, ruled with a rod of iron by committee chairman and ex-cop Big John, who bullies his son, known as Little John. Mobile phone company employees Carla, a go-getting bitch, and her dim young assistant, Mike, arrive at the allotments, offering five grand for one of the plots to make way for a phone mast. It is obvious that the sacrifice will be made by one of the new-comers. John is not keen for it to be Iranian Ali, because he is a qualified doctor, who gives free advice. However, Ali and his family are arrested as unsuccessful asylum seekers and John turns his attention to the plot given to Kung Sang, a traumatised oriental whose young children tend to communicate on his behalf. John's bullying treatment of his son over the latter's interest in African Miriam, and his strict adherence to the rules - including the ...

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Plot Keywords:

three word title | imperative in title | british | family relationships | father son relationship | 

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Taglines:

You never know where you'll find your roots.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

Deck the Halls
Traditional
Performed by Ian McKenzie
Arranged by Simon Whiteside
lyrics by Thomas Oliphant (uncredited)
Published by BDI Music / BBC Worldwide Ltd

User Reviews

Sublime, no more needs saying

Sometimes you just know after 5 minutes of watching a film whether it's going to be good or not. I bought it on the strength of John Henshaw being in it, he seems to do no wrong. In truth if i gave this film a 10 star rating it would not do enough justice for it. Ridiculously fabulous film that relies on story, acting, cranked up with a fair amount of emotional turmoil. Please see this film, it's a very undervalued classic. Im hyper critical of films, but this is perfection. When it comes to action/horror I generally think US films cannot be beaten, when it comes to a drama, i think its one area the Brits are way out ahead, there is a realism about this film that is quite unnerving. The humour very subtle and well placed. It's given me such a good feeling after watching it.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 June 2007 (UK)

Also Known As:

Gradinari de ocazie

Filming Locations:

Caryl Street, Toxteth, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$498,278

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warp Films, Art in Action, UK Film Council

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1