Every Little Thing, directed by Sally Aitken, is a documentary that soars into the heart with the delicate intensity of its tiny subjects—hummingbirds. Set against the backdrop of Los Angeles, the film centers on Terry Masear, a woman who has dedicated her life to rehabilitating injured hummingbirds. Aitken’s lens captures not just the fragility of these creatures but also the resilience of the human spirit, weaving a story that is as much about healing oneself as it is about saving others.
The film introduces us to Masear’s world with a visual poetry that is both stunning and intimate. Her Hollywood Hills home, transformed into a sanctuary of aviaries, buzzes with the wingbeats of her friends —named with affection as Raisin, Cactus, and Wasabi amongst others. Aitken’s use of slow-motion cinematography is nothing short of breathtaking, revealing the hummingbirds’ extraordinary agility and delicate beauty in ways that feel almost otherworldly.
Masear herself is a compelling figure, a blend of no-nonsense idealism and warm quirkiness that makes her instantly engaging. Her dedication is clearly visible as she meticulously feeds baby hummingbirds from syringes, builds elaborate flight cages, and navigates the emotional rollercoaster of their recoveries—or, heartbreakingly, their losses. Aitken wisely lets Masear’s actions speak louder than words, though her occasional narrations provide sharp insights into the hummingbirds’ lives and her own. The film hints at a deeper motivation, a personal tragedy that drives her work, though it takes time to reveal the full scope of her story.
Where the film truly excels, is in its exploration of Masear’s personal journey. Midway through, we learn of the tragedies that have shaped her—abuse in her childhood, the loss of her husband, Frank, after 33 years of a vibrant, adventurous marriage. These revelations are handled with a skillful touch, never sensationalized but woven seamlessly into the narrative of her work with the hummingbirds. Aitken draws on a parallel between Masear’s own healing and the birds’ recovery, suggesting that in nurturing these fragile creatures, Masear is also nurturing herself.
One of the film’s most affecting elements is its portrayal of the human-animal interface. We meet the “finders”—ordinary people who bring injured birds to Masear, often forming deep attachments to their tiny birds. These interactions highlight a broader human capacity for empathy, but they also expose a tension: the brutal truth of nature that Masear accepts but others struggle with. “Only the strong survive,” she notes, a stark reminder of the limits of compassion in the face of natural law.
Every Little Thing is a testament to the power of small acts, a reminder that healing—whether of a bird’s broken wing or a human’s broken heart—is a process of patience, love, and letting go. Aitken has crafted a documentary that is as delicate and magical as its subjects, one that invites us to slow down, to marvel at the world’s tiny wonders, and to find hope in the face of fragility.
Every Little Thing arrives at Luna Palace Cinemas, Thursday March 27.
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
Socials: @neillfrazer
