REVIEW: ‘First Cow’ directed by Kelly Reichardt

Image courtesy of A24 / Provided by official site.

---

First Cow, the simple, yet effective movie from director Kelly Reichardt, features two characters making a connection in the harsh terrain of the Oregon Territory in the 19th century. They are brought together over a common desire to survive and enjoy the quieter moments in life, and the bond that forms between the two men keeps them determined, interested and well fed.

John Magaro plays Cookie, a cook who is traveling with a group of fur traders in the wilderness. He has limited supplies to pull together a meal, but some of his colleagues don’t want to hear excuses. They expect to receive their sustenance. The cook spends his days searching through the foliage for mushrooms or anything that is edible and could supplement their diets. On one day of discovery Cookie finds King Lu (Orion Lee), a Chinese immigrant who is seeking safety and needs some help.

The two form an immediate friendship and help each other in the forest. At first, Cookie hides King Lu from the fur traders’ wandering eyes, and then eventually they open up a makeshift business, selling sweet bread to the prospectors and pioneers in the area. What’s their secret? They utilize milk from the territory’s only cow, but that white liquid is like liquid gold in these parts. So they need to keep their milk stealing to themselves, but eventually — as these things go — fate catches up to them.

Reichardt, who wrote the screenplay with Jonathan Raymond, has a great deal of time pass with little or no dialogue. Cookie and King Lu’s bond is not one of deep conversations and constant dialogue. They let the few words they say float in the air, and before answering they let the statements soak in and be considered. Then, and only then, they respond to an offered sentence. It’s a methodically paced film, one that feels authentic and organic, as if a documentary camera were rolling.

Cookie’s behavior with the cow is so gentle and nice. He strokes the animal and talks to her, thanking the cow for the milk and its resultant livelihood. King Lu, on the other hand, offers some philosophical thoughts and how the two can scale up their business in this frontier town.

The bond between these two men goes beyond merely friendship. They are more like partners, encompassing both business interests and their personal lives, and they are reliant on each other. More than anything, they seem to enjoy their shared company together. The chemistry between Cookie and King Lu is only achieved because of the stellar performances of Magaro and Lee. They are the heartbeat of the story, and their believable acting makes the audience care about their collective outcome.

First Cow is an exquisite movie because of its simple storytelling, finely drawn characterizations and transportive means of taking the viewer back to a time of hellish, need-to-survive circumstances.

An added treat: The late, great René Auberjonois makes a cameo appearance, reminding this reviewer of his turn in McCabe & Mrs. Miller from 1971.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

First Cow (2020). Directed by Kelly Reichardt. Written by Reichardt and Jonathan Raymond. Starring John Magaro, Orion Lee, René Auberjonois and Toby Jones. Running time: 122 minutes. Rated PG-13 for brief strong language. Rating: