Review: First Cow
In another western drama set in the Pacific Northwest, Kelly Reichardt uses her unique, quiet directing style to introduce us to a small town on the verge of big changes and a pair of friends trying to navigate the changing world. It’s rare to see a film that portrays a male friendship so beautifully, but Reichardt is able to capture a sense of intimacy in the midst of a backdrop marked by savagery. In early 1800s America, the motto was “kill or be killed, ”but for Cookie, (John Magaro) he’s more interested in living a simple life cooking up delicious concoctions.
Cookie has been working as a cook for a group of trappers, who are not exactly food connoisseurs, but this doesn’t dampen Cookie’s dreams. When he crosses paths with King Lu, a Chinese immigrant with big aspirations, he finds a kindred spirit. It’s in these intimate moments between the two characters sharing their dreams and perspective on life that we experience moments of rare tenderness in a rough and tumble environment.
When one of the commanders in the town acquires a cow, King Lu sees his opportunity and they conspire to milk the cow at night and make delicious “oily cakes” during the day to sell in town. The business venture is a big success, but when the duo is faced with questions about how they came to create their overnight success, they’re forced to lie to the very commander they are stealing from.
It seems that however earnest, the two men can’t seem to get ahead in a world that’s unforgiving to dreamers.