This is a documentary about a city couple (John and Molly Chester) from Santa Monica who decide to pursue their dream of owning a traditional farm. With the aid of numerous and probably very wealthy investors, they buy 200 acres and with the help of an eccentric mentor, they stock their farm full of livestock, chickens & start from scratch to grow all their fruits & veggies. The motivation comes from the need to find a place to keep their beloved rescue dog from barking up a storm and disturbing all their neighbors. Farm living for the Chesters has it’s ups and downs and the film follows many of them from weather, coyotes to crop destroying pesky snails. But what was fascinating was how all these problems were eventually solved and solved in such a cause and effect natural way. The movie does drag in parts esp. as we get an abundance of close ups and slow transitions. I think that may come from the director’s background as a wildlife photographer. That experience came in handy for this type of film, but it doesn’t necessarily help the pace. It’s still a very good movie. The Chesters are a very likable couple and when they do succeed, you can’t help but smile for them.
Rating: (***)
Eric at the Movies 