'First Cow' is a story about entrepreneurs, about life on the Oregon frontier in 1820 and taking chances. The film centres around Otis 'Cookie' Figowitz and King-Lu. Cookie is a quiet cook travelling with a group of fur trappers. He comes across King-Lu who is on the run for killing a man. The two meet again later at Fort Tillicum after Cookie has parted ways with the fur tappers. The two spend time together discussing their plans for the future, with Cookie saying that he'd like to open a hotel or a bakery in the future. The pair learn of a milk cow being brought to the area and decide to steal milk to make and sell baked goods. Soon after, the owner of the cow, Chief Factor comes across Cookie and his business venture. Factor solicits Cookie to bake a clafoutis for an upcoming tea time he is hosting for a local captain and a Native American chief. Soon after the pair are discovered stealing milk and are chased till the two part ways. Cookie falls and injures his head, but later the pair reconnect at Lu's shack. The film concludes as the two take rest on the run further down south, as they are being followed by a gunman from Factors estate.
'First Cow' is a story that feels very real, unaltered in order to impress the viewer, rather reflecting the life of people living on the frontier and getting by through work. The visual style reflects the type of life people had to endure during the 19th century in Oregon, where most people lived in shacks with grimy surroundings. As a stark contrast Chief Factors residence is shown as the single proper household, with clean floors and brightly painted interiors, commenting on the wealth gap that exists amongst the civilians and a rich nobleman.
The film is a short window of insight into Cookie and Lu's life, not extending beyond a couple of weeks. We get to follow the characters as they first meet and establish a close relationship, sparked by an act of kindness, as Cookie offers Lu some food and a place to rest. This act shows us the type of individual Cookie is, further exploring his gentler side as he acts differently to the fur trappers he is travelling with initially. Lu is shown to be much like Cookie, but with more of an edge, showing a foundation of common sense and more of an inclination to entrepreneurial thinking. We are presented with how the two form close ties through sharing future goals, as they find kinship through understanding and sharing the same values towards their business and life goals. Both sides get to express their innermost thoughts about how they want to achieve their goals. Through their exchanges we see Cookies character developed as a more artistic type, a more gentle spirit devoting his all to his craft of cooking. Lu is also kind-hearted, recognising Cookies talent and helping him develop their business venture, incorporating his talents without exploiting him. As the business develops, 'First Cow' presents Cookie and Lu's relationship on an upward progression. There are moments of concern expressed on both sides regarding their venture, yet the story does not follow a clichéd path of greed and deception, rather showing a less seen path where both parties keep working together to overcome those hurdles.
The progression of the film is relatively slow, yet manages not to become tedious. The actions throughout the feature are simple, yet the director, Kelly Reichardt, has managed to present even the more mundane happenings with a sense of suspense accompanying them where necessary. The film is presented in a realist manner, focusing on scenes on location following people and their simple, work-filled lives. The minimalist approach of the film establishes a somewhat grimy atmosphere, yet it manages to capture the simplicity of life in 1820 with exhibiting glimpses of serenity as the two characters share their time together. Besides the visual minimalism, the story comprises of a few happenings, denoting the slow-paced style of life back then.
Through showing the two men co-habiting, we are exposed to a more rarely seen scenario in film, namely the two characters bonding, establishing a platonic friendship and connecting on a very basic level over their plans for the future. Cookie and Lu bonding is a rarely seen friendship on the big screen and depicts the more rarely acknowledged gentler side of masculinity and male friendship. The film represents a quiet and gentle male persona in Cookie, showing that there are different types of men and different ways of being a man. As Cookie establishes his trade and is successful at what he does, the message of there being a diversity in male personalities promotes the acceptance of that idea.
John Magaro portrays Cookie, the sympathetic and kindly baker. Magaros' portrayal of the character invites us to discover that a man with a tender personality could exist back then, representing the variety of masculine expressions in general. As a person, Cookie allows us to sympathise and admire that a person with a dream and a passion for his craft can be successful, even though they may need to take shortcuts to ensure the realisation of those dreams. Orion Lee plays King-Lu, the more entrepreneurial side of the duo. Initially meeting Lu on the run we become weary of him, suspicious of his motives. Yet, through time conversing with Cookie, Lee manages to portray Lu as a worldly and understanding character. The friendship amongst the two creates a nurturing atmosphere that allows both to dream of the future and be comfortable in the knowledge they have someone to rely on. This is especially highlighted in the end, - Lu has the opportunity to leave Cookie behind as he wants to rest while they are on the run. However, Lu decides to lie with him, showing that he values Cookie more than the opportunity of running with their savings may have provided.
Kelly Reichardt has delivered an insight into the frontier life with a focus on the development of a male friendship. Rarely represented in film, the bond is formed through mutual respect and kindness, showing the two protagonists carry out mundane tasks that bring them closer together rather than focusing on what may typically be considered manly activities. The story, also written by Reichardt, provides a short window of time into the characters lives, yet delivers a wealth of knowledge about frontier life and fully realised portraits for the characters.
'First Cow' is a great story about the hardship of life, not only because it represents life on the frontier, but also considers the economic barriers that exist for individuals who want to establish themselves financially, and only have the opportunity to do so via criminal activity. It is highlighted that people who want to achieve their goals do not harbour bad intentions, yet are forced to consider cheating in order to achieve anything at all. The film is an achievement in showing the vastly unique experience that a good friendship can be and is outstanding in showcasing types of characters less represented in mainstream cinema.
Score: 4/4
Opmerkingen