A24 | Release Date: March 6, 2020
6.9
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 126 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
87
Mixed:
19
Negative:
20
Watch Now
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand
Review this movie
VOTE NOW
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Check box if your review contains spoilers 0 characters (5000 max)
5
JEsFsFSep 17, 2020
Sometimes you have the patience for a "keenly observed" film. Sometimes it can be infuriating. The setting was interesting and appeared authentic. The two characters were realistic, only one was interesting. Their. dialog. was. glacial.Sometimes you have the patience for a "keenly observed" film. Sometimes it can be infuriating. The setting was interesting and appeared authentic. The two characters were realistic, only one was interesting. Their. dialog. was. glacial. in. speed. The story wasn't remarkable. The storytelling was not bad, just SO slow. Wife really liked it (she is partial to "interesting settings"). I enjoy glimpses into different lifestyles, but different, alone, isn't enough to maintain my interest. Certainly not for two hours. Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
All this user's reviews
8
HerickDienerDec 21, 2020
É impressionante como um filme tão minimalista nos passa tantas mensagens sobre o capitalismo e outras questões. A bela fotografia de Christopher Blauvelte te insere na história, e a diretora Kelly Reichardt foi cirúrgica na cena final.É impressionante como um filme tão minimalista nos passa tantas mensagens sobre o capitalismo e outras questões. A bela fotografia de Christopher Blauvelte te insere na história, e a diretora Kelly Reichardt foi cirúrgica na cena final. Espetacular! Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
All this user's reviews
2
Brent_MarchantJan 28, 2021
I've seen life insurance infomercials that were more captivating than this interminably tedious slog. Director Kelly Reichardt's latest starts out slow and goes downhill from there, telling a story about 19th Century fortune seekers in OregonI've seen life insurance infomercials that were more captivating than this interminably tedious slog. Director Kelly Reichardt's latest starts out slow and goes downhill from there, telling a story about 19th Century fortune seekers in Oregon Territory that has nothing interesting to say. I'm at a loss to understand why this offering (or most of the filmmaker's other pictures, for that matter) garner such appeal from critics and diehard fans. While some of the cinematography is indeed gorgeous, much of the film is underlit, and the sound quality is atrocious, making it difficult to understand much of what the characters are mumbling (most of which turns out to be rather inconsequential at that). How this is ending up on so many top 10 lists and receiving so much awards season buzz is totally beyond me. Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
All this user's reviews
5
henryzandtJul 11, 2020
The idea behind this film is interesting, only the film itself isn't. Too bad.
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
All this user's reviews
2
HtaungJul 31, 2020
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.
2 of 6 users found this helpful24
All this user's reviews
10
GuillermothecowJul 22, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Muúuuuuuuuu mejor pelicula de vacas epicas moo una vaca una ..una laca vaca Expand
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
All this user's reviews
10
cjhandleyJul 14, 2020
A lot of people attempting to read politics into a movie that isn't political...not everything has to be "woke." Sometimes a good story is just a good story.
2 of 7 users found this helpful25
All this user's reviews
10
LatinCritic13Mar 6, 2020
A movie about a man and his cow and who wouldn't that this is one of the best films I have ever seen in a long time. You got definitely had me there with that one A24.
3 of 13 users found this helpful310
All this user's reviews
8
truerockMar 14, 2021
So, if you have arrived on earth from an alternate dimension and had never heard of Kelly Reichardt and then immediately went to view First Cow... you would probably think, "What the heck am I watching?".

This is obviously not a particularly
So, if you have arrived on earth from an alternate dimension and had never heard of Kelly Reichardt and then immediately went to view First Cow... you would probably think, "What the heck am I watching?".

This is obviously not a particularly approachable film. It is not for mainstream audiences. There are no car chase scenes. There are no assault rifle gun fire. There is no bodice-ripping hot sex. So, you are probably thinking, "Why would I want to watch this movie?". The answer for most people, "You do not want to watch this movie".

Nevertheless, there is a large number of individuals who find Kelly Reichardt movies mesmerizing.

Rather than trying to explain it to others, I would suggest you try one of her movies out and see if it is the kind of thing you enjoy. I'll forewarn, it is a visual experience more than auditory. So, be prepared to carefully take in the visual and realize there is not a lot of talking.

Perhaps start with "Night Moves" which is probably her most approachable film and gradually work your way to something like "First Cow".

Personally, I am so glad there is room for Kelly Reichardt to make her films.
Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
All this user's reviews
8
bertobellamyNov 29, 2020
With a simple story about an improbable friendship in the midst of a country's birth, director Kelly Reichardt and writer Jonathan Raymond remind us about the meaning of prosperity in the U.S.A., where everything was taken away from its trueWith a simple story about an improbable friendship in the midst of a country's birth, director Kelly Reichardt and writer Jonathan Raymond remind us about the meaning of prosperity in the U.S.A., where everything was taken away from its true owners. Great acting, amazing photography, and a very warm story (as its oily cakes) make 'First Cow' a fine watch. Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
All this user's reviews
7
moviemitch96Jul 22, 2020
In this film, a late 1800s Oregon fur trapper meets and befriends a Chinese immigrant, and together, they decide to try and get ahead by secretly stealing the milk from a local cow owned by a wealthy landowner in order to make cakes andIn this film, a late 1800s Oregon fur trapper meets and befriends a Chinese immigrant, and together, they decide to try and get ahead by secretly stealing the milk from a local cow owned by a wealthy landowner in order to make cakes and pastries out of it to sell to people. It's a small and intimant film with a simple premise, but it's still very effective thanks largely in part by the two lead performances and chemistry of John Magaro and Orion Lee as fur trapper Cookie and humble immigrant King-Lu respectively. Their onscreen friendship is undeniably charming to watch, and I found myself rooting for them in their strive for a better and more prosperous life from start to finish. From a technical aspect, the film is beautifully shot, even settling for a smaller aspect ratio in order to better fit with the times it's portraying, and each shot in the film almost appears as an old photograph come to life. It moves a little slow and takes its time, but in doing so, it manages to illustrate the quest for prosperity and simple pleasures in a unique way and is shown in a time period not seen too often in film. Overall, it's a slow and simple yet ultimately humble period film that tells a nice friendship story while it's at it, making it worthwhile enough. Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
All this user's reviews
8
JLuis_001Jul 25, 2020
First Cow is a film that will put you in a trance if you decide to enjoy it that way.
It could certainly be said that even the most atmospheric films are still a means of entertaining, but even in the face of the excellent quality of the
First Cow is a film that will put you in a trance if you decide to enjoy it that way.
It could certainly be said that even the most atmospheric films are still a means of entertaining, but even in the face of the excellent quality of the production, it will all be reduced to whether this is the kind of film you're looking for as entertainment.

Kelly Reichardt's new film is an adaptation of Jon Raymond's novel, The Half-Life. He also wrote the screenplay alongside Reichardt.
I honestly don't have any opinions on the novel because I didn't even know it, so I can't tell if the director's treatment was the right one but regardless of that fact, personally I think Reichardt delivered a great film.

First Cow favors tone and atmosphere over narrative, therefore I must emphasize that although the friendship story is the main engine of the film; The rhythm, the lack of dialogue and the way in which events unfold, are things that are more focused on your immersion in the situation rather than just observing it from a distance.

John Magaro and Orion Lee are completely in tune and both actors hold the film perfectly because as I said this is a story about friendship and because of the lack of dialogue, the only thing that makes that believable, are their expressions and emotions and they both do a pretty good job.

First Cow will reward your patience if you allow it to captivate you and you allow yourself to absorb its pace and story.

To me was a great film and is yet another strong addition for A24’s catalogue.
Expand
0 of 3 users found this helpful03
All this user's reviews
9
kirkenderAug 1, 2020
Being human with each other can be one of the hardest things to do. First Cow is a glorious film. Masterful pacing. The world building is phenomenally engrossing. The film techniques are immaculate. The script is sparse and exacting. KellyBeing human with each other can be one of the hardest things to do. First Cow is a glorious film. Masterful pacing. The world building is phenomenally engrossing. The film techniques are immaculate. The script is sparse and exacting. Kelly Reichardt has been a film lover's filmmaker since the beginning of her career and she has me enthralled with her mastery of film language. Gosh dang it, give this movie your attention. Expand
0 of 4 users found this helpful04
All this user's reviews
8
sirrongNov 22, 2020
The kind of movie that is better the longer it sat with me. Won't be for those wanting an easy watch.
0 of 3 users found this helpful03
All this user's reviews
10
Scott92Mar 16, 2020
First Cow deals with toxic masculinity and capitalism in a modern, delicate and effective way. The story is well-developed and the characters are authentic and lovely. Reichardt didn't disappoint me at all, one of her best movies so far.
0 of 11 users found this helpful011
All this user's reviews
1
Bobx11May 21, 2021
A slow two hour slog of a movie with a depressing story that lacks any kind of pay-off. There's a lot of sloooow and looong artsy shots which indie critics love, but it doesn't make up for the lame duck story writing.
0 of 3 users found this helpful03
All this user's reviews
4
netflicAug 1, 2020
This is a movie about friendship between a cook and a Chinese traveler in Oregon territories some two hundred years ago. The plot is very simple, and the movie is  more than two hours long. It is as engaging as watching paint dry. I wasThis is a movie about friendship between a cook and a Chinese traveler in Oregon territories some two hundred years ago. The plot is very simple, and the movie is  more than two hours long. It is as engaging as watching paint dry. I was waiting for it because many praised it. Even though it is made well professionally, I would not recommend it. For those who love slow movies, it is available on Amazon Prime. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
7
theredskySep 5, 2020
The film’s visual style is impressive but it’s story and pacing is what really drags this film down for me. The cinematography is the one aspect I found to be excellent. The framing is on point and impressive and it adds a lot to the film’sThe film’s visual style is impressive but it’s story and pacing is what really drags this film down for me. The cinematography is the one aspect I found to be excellent. The framing is on point and impressive and it adds a lot to the film’s style. The production design and costumes are also really good here too. These characters look and feel as if they in the 1820s. The performances are also great too. Each character feels believable and works to help tell the story of the film. Although I like all that, the pacing is not very good. It feels incredibly long and tedious without any real majorly satisfying payoff. It’s a 2 hour movie that feels like it goes on for 2 and a half hours. If they had cut down some of the scenes, this issue wouldn’t be as major as it is. There were some elements of the story I enjoyed and some I found to be pointless. If you like A24 then check it out but don’t have your hopes incredibly high for it. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
9
DawdlingPoetJan 9, 2022
This is a slow, thoughtful, contemplative perhaps, film. Its quite relaxing in its both rural setting and the instrumental, sometimes banjo or other percussion instruments, music played lightly/sparingly in the background. It's quite quiet,This is a slow, thoughtful, contemplative perhaps, film. Its quite relaxing in its both rural setting and the instrumental, sometimes banjo or other percussion instruments, music played lightly/sparingly in the background. It's quite quiet, dialogue wise but that's not a bad thing I felt. I enjoyed the cinematography - I like that its understated. Laidback is a term I'd definitely use to describe this film. I suppose its a nice depiction of male companionship to an extent and it highlights a form of isolation that the two main characters no doubt feel regardless. I thought the two main characters were well portrayed by John Magaro as Cookie and Orion Lee as King-Lu - I didn't really recognise anyone other than Toby Jones, who seems a nice enough guy at first (he plays the 'chief factor', who is unnamed). I'd say there is a bit of a moral aspect to it. Its not a film for people who like constant action and are hoping for a high octane type Western film but I would say its pretty atmospheric never the less and I definitely enjoyed it overall, very much so. By the end of the film, I felt myself hoping for the best for the two main characters, who are outcasts of sorts. Yes, I'd recommend this film, definitely. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
7
risonyeongApr 25, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. not too sure why the font of the title is in bright yellow. at first i thought it was a comedy. the show was atmospheric accurate of the hard life of gold prospectors in america.
very tortured pace of conversation which makes this movie stands out.
the tension of tragedy is masterly directed. what happened to both the protagonist nobody knows. the director puts in a scene of a soldier with a gun. as they escaped slowly thro the bushes, i had this foreboding of a shot that never came.
be patient and endure all the dark melancholic lightless world of the fort. very accurate.... not doctored beauty of revenant. raw and relevant
Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
mstaub87Nov 21, 2022
great dramatic film!!!!!! on the one hand it gives a lot of emotions and on the other hand slows you a little down, and let you think about what is really important in our world......
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
7
CarlElmoreNov 24, 2022
The film looks absolutely stunning. Great cinematography, lighting, costumes, etc. but the story was a little too slow for me.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews