Growing the Big One

Growing the Big One
DVD cover
Written by	Anna Sandor Diane Mettler
Directed by	Mark Griffiths
Starring	Shannen Doherty Kavan Smith Aaron Pearl[1]
Music by	James Hazell
Country of origin	United States Canada
Original language	English
Production
Producers	Howard Meltzer (exec.) Jane Goldenring (exec.) Ted Bauman (exec.) Randolph Cheveldave
Cinematography	Mahlon Todd Williams
Editor	Roger Mattiussi
Running time	84 minutes[2]
Production company	GBO Films
Original release
Release	October 23, 2010 (2010-10-23)
Infobox instructions (only shown in preview)

Growing the Big One is a 2010 Canadian-American television film directed by Mark Griffiths. It was developed as one of twenty-four programs scheduled for broadcast on the Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries during the 2010–11 television season. Anna Sandor and Diane Mettler wrote the film; Howard Meltzer, Jane Goldenring, and Ted Bauman served as executive producers. Shannen Doherty and Kavan Smith star as the lead characters. One commentator noted that the film marked a transition for Doherty away from her "bad girl" reputation.

The plot revolves around radio personality Emma Silver, played by Doherty, as she attempts to pay off her recently deceased grandfather's debts by entering a pumpkin growing contest. As the movie progresses, a romance develops between her and her new neighbor Seth Cullen, portrayed by Smith. She must choose if she wants to stay in her rural hometown or accept a promising job opportunity in New York City. Mettler's brother's experiences participating in pumpkin growing contests was the inspiration for the film's narrative. It was filmed and produced over the course of a few days in October 2009.

The film premiered on October 23, 2010, as the start of the Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Halloween programming block. It received a Nielsen rating of 2.6 million viewers, which made it the second highest performing television movie on all ad-supported cable television networks for the night. Critical response to Growing the Big One was largely positive; some critics praised the story and Doherty's performance, while others were more critical of the chemistry between the two lead actors. It was released on DVD three days following the film's premiere.