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First Cow

Play trailer 1:38 Poster for First Cow PG-13 2020 2h 2m Western Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 224 Reviews 65% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Two travelers, on the run from a band of vengeful hunters in the 1820s Northwest, dream of striking it rich -- but their tenuous plan to make their fortune on the frontier comes to rely on the secret use of a landowner's prized dairy cow.
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First Cow

First Cow

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Critics Consensus

First Cow finds director Kelly Reichardt revisiting territory and themes that will be familiar to fans of her previous work -- with typically rewarding results.

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Critics Reviews

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Christina Newland iNews.co.uk 09/23/2024
5/5
Filmed with a compassionate eye, this is the antithesis of the dusty classic western. Go to Full Review
Deborah Ross The Spectator 07/29/2021
It is touching, tender, original, entrancing, definitely the best cow film of the year. Plus it's also a quietly masterful thriller where a clafoutis (blueberry) will have you on the edge of your seat. Go to Full Review
Tara Brady Irish Times 07/23/2021
5/5
Reichardt works in delicate movements as a storyteller. Magaro and Lee's wonderful chemistry keeps perfectly in step with the filmmaker. Go to Full Review
Morgan Olson Loud and Clear Reviews Jan 8
2.5/5
For all its idiosyncrasies in presentation and characterization, its narrative regresses into a standard fare that lacks momentum or significant character growth. Go to Full Review
Joonatan Itkonen Region Free 07/11/2024
5/5
There’s a tenderness in how Reichardt depicts the trials and victories for the two hapless heroes. Neither of whom is made for such a hostile world. Their friendship isn’t agreed upon, just something always destined to happen. Go to Full Review
Brendan Cassidy InSession Film 07/09/2024
This has become a common staple for Reichardt, whose films are all about companionship seeking prosperity, but the friendship here between Otis/Cookie and King-Lu (John Magaro and Orion Lee respectively) may be her most endearing yet. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Michael G 03/16/2020 Technically, it was abysmally recorded, in darkness. Thematically, it was an interesting vignette of societal extremes played out through deceit. See more 03/08/2020 I couldn't wait for it to end. See more Greg T Sep 12 Listen, slow does not necessarily mean bad. I can handle slow movies. But I really don't know why this movie was made. I don't get the purpose of it. Is it just supposed to be about a friendship? I really don't think it went very deep about that. Is it supposed to be a critique of capitalism or something? Getting ahead requires a crime of some sort? Eh, spare me. You know from the beginning it ain't gonna end well, so it's just a draggy slog all the way through. See more Dave S Aug 3 Director Kelly Reichardt has proven over the course of her career that she understands the fact that there is beauty in simplicity. In First Cow, set in early 19th-century Oregon, two seemingly disparate men (John Magaro, Orion Lee) steal milk from the only cow in the area in order to sweeten the rolls they sell in the local market, thus increasing their profits. It’s a simple story dealing with simple themes, shot in what appears to be natural light with subdued performances, lovely cinematography, patient editing and deliberate pacing. In an era where the American film landscape is filled with frantic remakes, sequels, and prequels, having more filmmakers like Kelly Reichardt would be refreshing. See more Zack D. @zacharycolindrew Jul 21 Great script. Well acted. Nice period piece with a simple, but worthwhile plot. See more Rolf T Mar 11 The gentle pacing of First Cow is reminiscent of a nature documentary, which of course it is - a study of human nature on the frontier of the Pacific northwest, before electricity, gas and TV. As the frontier creeps towards the Pacific ocean the trappings of civilization gradually appear from the east, including the first cow to arrive in the settlement. The central characters are searching for opportunity in a land without a safety net, and it is perhaps this sense of insecurity that makes a simple story so compelling. Crafted with Kelly Reichardt's distinctive ability to find profound meaning in quiet and understated moments, this film is a refreshing contrast to the overabundance of overstuffed movies that lack both authenticity and humanity. See more Read all reviews
First Cow

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First Cow

First Cow: Official Clip - Selling Like Hotcakes First Cow: Official Clip - Selling Like Hotcakes 1:55 First Cow: Official Clip - I Want Milk First Cow: Official Clip - I Want Milk 2:20 First Cow: Official Clip - Caught Stealing First Cow: Official Clip - Caught Stealing 1:44 First Cow: Official Clip - Hunting the Thieves First Cow: Official Clip - Hunting the Thieves 1:48 First Cow: Official Clip - Meeting the Cow First Cow: Official Clip - Meeting the Cow 1:54 First Cow: Official Clip - Impressing Chief Factor First Cow: Official Clip - Impressing Chief Factor 2:46 First Cow: Official Clip - Resting Together First Cow: Official Clip - Resting Together 1:53 First Cow: Official Clip - Chief Factor's Request First Cow: Official Clip - Chief Factor's Request 1:34 First Cow: Official Clip - Stealing Milk First Cow: Official Clip - Stealing Milk 2:46 First Cow: Official Clip - Selling Oily Cakes First Cow: Official Clip - Selling Oily Cakes 1:51 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis Two travelers, on the run from a band of vengeful hunters in the 1820s Northwest, dream of striking it rich -- but their tenuous plan to make their fortune on the frontier comes to rely on the secret use of a landowner's prized dairy cow.
Director
Kelly Reichardt
Producer
Neil Kopp, Vincent Savino, Anish Savjani
Screenwriter
Jonathan Raymond, Kelly Reichardt
Distributor
A24
Production Co
Film Science
Rating
PG-13 (Brief Strong Language)
Genre
Western, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 6, 2020, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 10, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA)
$161.0K
Runtime
2h 2m
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