The Biggest Little Farm

This documentary quietly blew me away. It follows a couple, John and Molly Chester, as they leave city life to start a sustainable farm in California. While that sounds straightforward, the film’s warmth comes from watching their idealism clash with the chaos of nature — gophers, snails, coyotes, and the unpredictable weather. Their setbacks are honest and sometimes heartbreaking, but there’s a real sense of resilience that’s inspiring without being saccharine.

What stood out most to me was how beautifully shot everything is. The cinematography somehow manages to make compost heaps, roaming ducks, and even crop-eating pests look absolutely cinematic. There’s a particular lushness — with close-ups of soil, tiny bugs, and the play of light across the orchards — that makes the farm feel almost magical. It’s clear the filmmakers had both patience and love for their subject, capturing moments that feel lived-in rather than staged.

Not everything landed for me. Occasionally, the storytelling leans into a slightly sanitized, Disney-ish tone, especially with the musical score swelling in key moments. The narration sometimes tells you exactly how to feel, which can undercut the more subtle scenes. Despite this, the genuine personalities of the Chesters and their team ground the film, and there are moments of real unpredictability and humility.

There aren't really “actors” per se, but the animals almost become characters in their own right — the troublemaking pig, Emma, completely stole my heart. Watching the farm’s ecosystem evolve is fascinating, and the doc really succeeds at showing how interconnected every tiny decision is. It’s a side of agriculture that I think a lot of people never get to see.

You would enjoy this if you like nature docs, stories about people following a dream (regardless of the odds), or want a break from darker, true-crime sorts of nonfiction. It’s uplifting but doesn’t avoid the messy, complicated bits of real life. Bonus points if you love animals, because this is basically their time to shine.