By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4.5 cats
Director: Kelly Reichardt
Starring: John Magaro | Orion Lee | Rene Auberjonois | Toby Jones
Country: united_states
Year: 2020
Running time: 122
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9231040/reference
Chris says: “Throughout Kelly Reichardt’s latest film, I couldn’t help but detect motifs from across her oeuvre. It’s set in the 19th century along the Oregon Trail like MEEK’S CUTOFF, the focus is on a friendship between two men reminiscent of OLD JOY, and there’s even an opening scene featuring a woman and her dog, a la WENDY AND LUCY. Actors from such films as NIGHT MOVES (Alia Shawkat) and CERTAIN WOMEN (Lily Gladstone) also appear in supporting roles.
“However, even if you haven’t seen any of Reichardt’s films, this one will still likely resonate as the work of an original, distinctive filmmaker. The gentle, gestating narrative requires patience, but it also rewards those who become invested in the fate of a cook (John Magaro) and a Chinese immigrant (King Lu) as they become unlikely friends and form an impromptu business partnership. What they build is forever precariously hanging by a string due to the titular animal that makes their potential fortune possible. By applying such high stakes to such richly detailed ‘slow’ cinema, FIRST COW ends up Reichardt’s most fully realized effort in years. 4.5 cats”
Michael says: “I was eagerly looking forward to seeing Kelly Reichardt’s latest film, FIRST COW after missing it’s run at the Coolidge, just days before everything shut down. The film is now available streaming, and I encourage you to check it out, especially if you’ve enjoyed Reichardt’s previous films like I have. There are definitely some thematic elements that run through all of her films, and FIRST COW is no exception. The film opens tranquilly enough, with a young woman and her dog foraging through the marsh. What they discover, however doesn’t portend well for the upcoming story. During what I would guess is the late 1800’s during the westward expansion, fur trapping is big business in Oregon. A cook finds himself at loose ends after his time with a group of fur trappers has come to an end. He befriends a Chinaman, on the run for a a perceived crime, and the two meet up in a small settlement, forging a quiet friendship while dreaming of what they could do to become successful. A number of things come together, the chef’s baking skills, the lack of interesting bread and sweets on the frontier, and the introduction of the first cow in the area, owned by a wealthy landowner who needed some cream for his afternoon tea.
“As in her past films (OLD JOY, WENDY & LUCY, MEEK’S CUTOFF, CERTAIN WOMEN, among others) Reichardt takes her time, and allows an easy (or uneasy) silence build between her characters. The outdoors is often integral to her stories, sometimes historically, sometimes in the present day. And friendship seems to be a major theme as well. The direction, cinematography, and production design are all so exquisitely detailed and attended to, and the acting certainly meets those qualities as well.. John Magaro shines as our chief, Cookie, and Orion Lee makes for a good partner as King-Lu, his capitalistic always thinking about the next step. Toby Jones makes a fine wealthy owner of our title character, and Chlotrudis-winner, Lily Gladstone (for CERTA’IN WOMEN) makes a brief appearance as well. Also making a brief appearance, possibly his last, is René Aubergenois, who passed away recently.
“Kelly Reichardt is a filmmaker I enjoy following, and she hasn’t let me down yet! 4.5 cats“
Diane says: “Helmer Kelly Reichardt (WENDY AND LUCY, OLD JOY) gives us another languid story with a deep sense of character. Noms for her and lead John Magaro as a cook making his living on the Oregon Trail. I didn’t care for the framing device that shifts us to another time, but I was crazy for the details that allowed me to appreciate the diversity of cultures, dress, shelters, and personalities of this trapping/gold-digging era of our history. I hope I never forget the timid soldier who lets someone else get the last biscuit—a 15-second scene that is just perfection. Excellent costumes by April Napier (THE MUSTANG, LADY BIRD). 4 cats.”