The title is quite appealing to those who enjoy fantasy films; I noticed the promotional posters looked nice in various languages, which initially sparked my interest—though I likely would have seen it eventually anyway, given my love of movies. It wasn't a widely known production, but the cast and plot intrigued me. They’ve described it as a modern fairy tale, though something felt missing, a cinematic quality that could truly engage viewers. My feeling is it lacked a distinctive style—it resembled films like 'Amélie,' 'Citizen Dog,' and others of that sort. While not based on a book, I believe the story might have benefited from being one. It had qualities reminiscent of titles such as those I mentioned earlier, combined with elements of 'The Secret Garden.' Sadly, it didn’t fully explore its themes. For example, the romantic aspect felt underdeveloped. It was almost as if I hadn't realized the film was even attempting that element; there were a boy and a girl, and in fact, three boys for one girl. The direction the story would take remained fairly well-preserved for quite some time, but ultimately it seemed to shift into something more like a casual movie. The narrative centers on a children's novelist who is an orphan, now grown up, living independently in London and working at a library. Her life before entering the orphanage was shrouded in mystery. She aspires to be a children’s writer, yet hasn’t managed to write her first book. It was a rather solitary, routine existence until one stormy day when trouble arrived. A grumpy neighbor started an argument with her for several reasons, including the neglected backyard, giving her a deadline to resolve it. The rest of the story focuses on her efforts and her attempts to connect with an inventor. > ❝Life and nature, it's just waiting to burst out anywhere it can, seeking light, getting on with it.❞ It really could have been better—not only for film buffs but also for average moviegoers. I’m unfamiliar with the filmmaker, but his direction was good; however, the writing seemed to be its downfall. That's where I think it mostly faltered. It remains above average, and if the script, including the dialogue, had been stronger, it could have reached a different level. Specifically, I didn't care for how scenes, events, and characters transitioned. One line delivered near the end, after the story took a turn, felt poorly written—a real cliché that should have been avoided altogether. The actors performed well; Jessica Brown, Tom Wilkinson, and the others all did their respective roles admirably. The synopsis describes it as a film about an author, but the movie prioritized gardening instead. There were distinct phases to this focus, some of which were quite good. However, the ending took an unexpected turn, relying on a surprising reveal to engage viewers—a twist that didn’t quite land as intended. Ultimately, the writing needed improvement to give the film a better chance with audiences. Despite Alfie's later prominence in the plot, Bella carried the story throughout. The basic premise was solid; it explored how everything suddenly changed for someone who had been a loner their whole life—that seemed to be the purpose of the film. Jessica Brown was a perfect choice for the role and looked lovely. It’s worth watching for her and the rest of the cast. Only a few people will likely feel they've seen something truly exceptional; it’s simply a good British film. 6.5/10

Source on TMDB