The Biggest Little Farm (2019)
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The Biggest Little Farm Movie Review
The Biggest Little Farm is a 2019 documentary film directed and narrated by John Chester. It’s a fascinating film in its subject that is somewhat flawed in its execution.
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“This all started with a promise that
we would leave the big city and build
a life in perfect harmony with nature“
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It follows a couple through their successes and failures as they work to develop a sustainable farm on 200 acres outside of Los Angeles. Over the years, the desolate they purchase begins to thrive and is transformed. I am personally fascinated with this subject, especially nature and man, farming in the modern world, and all of its advantages and hurdles.
And the film does pinpoint very well through a lot of details just what could go wrong if one were to have this big of a farm – pests, vermin, coyotes, drought are just some of the high obstacles that this couple faced, but they did persevere at the end. The movie is thus very inspirational without it being too false in its premise as it does warn about the many potential problems faced in farming.
My main issue with the film is connected to the man behind this project, John Chester himself. I do find the two’s idea wonderful and definitely inspiring. However, it did feel a bit like self-promotion which I felt icky about. And simply Chester has a tendency to over-narrate to the point of exhaustion. He never lets the viewer conclude on its own what is happening on screen as he constantly has the urge to over-explain each and every little tidbit of information.
The Biggest Little Farm is gorgeously shot, and very well edited and paced as well. It’s engaging throughout, and visually dazzling to behold. It’s saccharine quite a bit at times, but mostly it earned its emotional moments owing to the passage of time movingly portrayed through many wonderful takes and scene transitions. The death of Todd, their dog, is incredibly touching.
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I also loved the emphasis on all of the animals. Though the cutesy factor is quite present here, we still got to see how this ecosystem works in its minute detail. I found the experiment brave and admirable, and it raises many interesting questions about man’s role in nature, and how he can help it run its course without destroying it. I just wish it was more show and less tell.
The Biggest Little Farm is an engrossing look into farming and man’s role in nature, and how the two can ultimately co-exist. It is cute and emotional in the animals’ stories, but also keenly aware of the many hurdles that inevitably do emerge if one is to embark on this particular journey. It’s also visually dazzling, inspirational and filled with immensely interesting minutiae. I just wish it was more show and less tell as Chester’s over-narration is both unrestrained and unnecessary.
