First Cow

First Cow

Year: 2020

Runtime: 122 min

Language: English

Director: Kelly Reichardt

Drama

In the Oregon Territory of the 1820s, a gentle cook and a resourceful Chinese immigrant strike up an unexpected friendship while facing the challenges of the frontier. They begin a clandestine and increasingly complicated scheme, using the prized cow belonging to a wealthy landowner to bake and sell delicious pastries, hoping to achieve prosperity and a better life for themselves. Their actions, however, risk exposing their secret and jeopardizing their fragile alliance.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – First Cow (2020)

Trace every key event in First Cow (2020) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Present Day Discovery

A woman out for a walk by the riverside stumbles upon a shocking find: two skeletons intertwined in a shallow grave. This haunting discovery sets the stage for the historical journey that follows.

Riverside
2

First Flashback to 1820

The narrative transports us to 1820, where Otis 'Cookie' Figowitz, a reserved chef, struggles alongside a rowdy group of fur trappers in the rugged Oregon Country. The tension arises as the trappers tease him about his inadequate meals.

1820 Oregon Country
3

Meeting King-Lu

One fateful night, Cookie encounters King-Lu, a desperate Chinese immigrant fleeing after a violent confrontation. Allowing him refuge in his tent, Cookie witnesses Lu's daring escape across the river the next day, marking the beginning of their connection.

Nearby River
4

The Brawl at the Fort

Later, Cookie finds himself babysitting an infant amidst a chaotic bar brawl at a fort. It's here he reunites with Lu, who sees potential for partnership and invites Cookie to join him, planting the seeds for their entrepreneurial dreams.

Fort
5

Arrival of the Milk Cow

The outpost rejoices at the arrival of its first milk cow, although tragedy struck as her mate and calf did not survive the journey. This milestone presents an opportunity that Cookie seizes for his baking aspirations.

Outpost
6

The Secret Milking Operation

Under the cover of night, Cookie and Lu embark on a clandestine mission to milk the Chief Factor's cow. With Cookie milking and Lu on lookout, they manage to procure enough milk to create a batch of buttermilk biscuits, fueling Cookie's baking ambitions.

Chief Factor's Property
7

First Sales at Market

Their first batch of sweet oily cakes hits the market, drawing significant attention. As word spreads about the treats, they find themselves amidst a bidding war, solidifying their status as budding entrepreneurs.

Market
8

The Clafoutis for the Chief Factor

Impressed by their success, the Chief Factor requests a clafoutis from Cookie for an important meeting. The duo takes pride in their delivery, only to face unexpected tension regarding the cow's reduced milk yield during the meeting.

Chief Factor's Estate
9

The Warning

As tensions rise, the cow nudges Cookie, prompting a warning to Lu about impending danger. Yet, Lu insists they cannot leave without one more night of milking, highlighting their desperation and determination.

Chief Factor's Estate
10

The Collapse

Their secret operation is jeopardized when Cookie hears Lu's warning just as their hiding place is compromised. A chase ensues, leading them to the river where Lu makes a daring jump while Cookie tumbles down a hill in a panic.

Riverbank
11

Seeking Help

Cookie awakens in a shack and encounters a kind elderly Native Hawaiian couple who help him. Driven by urgency, he sets off in search of Lu, revealing the depth of their friendship amidst their perilous situation.

Shack
12

Lu's Desperate Search

Meanwhile, Lu is resourceful and uses traded buttons to hire a canoe to find Cookie. He returns to retrieve their hidden money, underscoring their precarious dash towards survival.

Market
13

Final Reunion

Cookie and Lu finally reunite at the shack, assessing their dire situation and plotting a plan to board the next boat south. Their bond strengthens as they face uncertainties together, ever determined to escape their perilous life.

Shack
14

Facing the Unknown

Exhausted from their journey, Cookie struggles to keep pace through the forest. Lu reassures him and pledges to stand watch, emphasizing the loyalty and resilience woven throughout their compelling story.

Forest

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 17:35

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First Cow Summary

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First Cow Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in First Cow

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Characters, Settings & Themes in First Cow

More About First Cow

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