First Cow

In the early 19th century, the American wilderness is a place where individuals are forced to rely on their wit, cunning, and determination to survive. The film "First Cow" is set in the Oregon Territory of the 1820s, a time of great upheaval and discovery in the young United States. The story follows two main characters, a taciturn and skilled cook known only as Cookie, and a Chinese immigrant named King-Lu, who finds himself in the midst of this unforgiving landscape. Cookie is a nameless and enigmatic figure, whose backstory and motivations remain largely unknown throughout the film. A skilled cook with a rugged, unassuming demeanor, he is drawn to the Oregon Territory in search of new opportunities. He arrives in the territory via a grueling journey across the country, which he undertakes alone, relying on his resourcefulness and self-reliance to navigate the treacherous terrain. King-Lu, on the other hand, is a more defined character. A Chinese immigrant who has been working on a ship that has sailed from the East Coast to the Oregon Territory, he is a quiet, reserved individual who is equally driven by a desire to forge a new life in the American wilderness. He is a master of the tea trade, having learned the art of blending and brewing from his father in China. The two men meet in a rustic, makeshift settlement that serves as a waystation for travelers and traders making their way through the territory. It is here that Cookie, recognizing King-Lu's skills as a tea trader, offers him a partnership in his own culinary endeavors. The two men strike up a conversation, and through their dialogue, it becomes clear that they share a common goal: to build a life for themselves in the Oregon Territory. However, their partnership is short-lived, as they soon find themselves in a precarious situation. A wealthy landowner, a ruthless and cunning individual known only as Chief Factor, has arrived in the territory with a prized possession: the first and only Jersey cow in the region. The cow, which Chief Factor has named Milky Way, is a valuable commodity, and the landowner is determined to keep its existence a secret, even from the other settlers in the area. Cookie and King-Lu, seeing an opportunity to profit from the landowner's prized possession, devise a plan to steal the milk from Milky Way. They achieve this by using a makeshift contraption to milk the cow at night, while Chief Factor is asleep. The plan is fraught with danger, as the two men risk detection by the landowner and punishment for their actions. As the story progresses, Cookie and King-Lu's partnership becomes increasingly strained. Cookie's rough, uncouth nature clashes with King-Lu's more refined and sophisticated demeanor, leading to a series of tense confrontations between the two men. Despite their differences, however, the two men remain committed to their plan, driven by a desire to build a better life for themselves in the Oregon Territory. Meanwhile, Chief Factor becomes increasingly suspicious of Cookie and King-Lu's nocturnal activities, and begins to take steps to protect his prized possession. As tensions between the two camps escalate, Cookie and King-Lu find themselves in a desperate bid to outrun the landowner's henchmen and salvage their scheme. The film's climax is a tense and suspenseful encounter between Cookie and King-Lu, who are forced to flee from Chief Factor's men after they are discovered stealing the milk from Milky Way. The two men make a desperate bid to escape, led by Cookie's resourcefulness and quick thinking. King-Lu, meanwhile, plays a crucial role in distracting the landowner's men, allowing Cookie to escape with the milk. In the end, Cookie and King-Lu emerge from their ordeal with their lives, but their partnership is irreparably damaged. As they go their separate ways, it becomes clear that their experiences in the Oregon Territory have left an indelible mark on both men. Cookie returns to his solitary wanderings, while King-Lu begins a new life in the territory, marked by a newfound appreciation for the challenges and opportunities of the American wilderness. "First Cow" is a film that is as much about the landscape and culture of the American wilderness as it is about its characters. The film's use of sweeping vistas and atmospheric cinematography brings the harsh beauty of the Oregon Territory to life, while its nuanced portrayal of the region's early settlers and traders provides a unique glimpse into a bygone era. As Cookie and King-Lu navigate the dangers and possibilities of this unforgiving landscape, the film raises questions about the nature of partnership, loyalty, and survival in the face of adversity.