Script Analysis: “First Cow” — Part 5: Dialogue

A week-long analysis of the script for the lauded indie movie by writer-director Kelly Reichardt.

Reading scripts. Absolutely critical to learn the craft of screenwriting. The focus of this bi-weekly series is a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read. Our daily schedule:

Monday: Scene-By-Scene Breakdown
Tuesday: Plot
Wednesday: Characters
Thursday: Themes
Friday: Dialogue
Saturday: Takeaways

Today: Dialogue.

This week: First Cow. You may download the script here.

Screenplay written by Kelly Reichardt and Jon Raymond, based on Raymond’s novel.

Plot summary: A skilled cook has traveled west and joined a group of fur trappers in Oregon, though he only finds true connection with a Chinese immigrant also seeking his fortune. Soon the two collaborate on a successful business.

Major kudos to Laura Bolton for doing this week’s scene-by-scene breakdown.

To download a PDF of the breakdown , go here.

Speaking of dialogue, how about this scene?

Talk about subtext! The cow is friendly with Cookie. Too friendly. Captain says one thing: “She’s a very fine cow.” But there is so much going on under the words.

• Cookie is nervous as hell that his connection to the cow is going to expose him as the milk thief.
• Captain has already figured it out.
• Chief Factor is in the process of figuring it out as well.

All of that as emotional subtext to the Captain’s side of dialogue.

For Part 1, to read the Scene-By-Scene Breakdown discussion, go here.

For Part 2, to read the Plot discussion, go here.

For Part 3, to read the Character discussion, go here.

For Part 4, to read the Themes discussion go here.

To access over 100 analyses of previous movie scripts we have read and discussed at Go Into The Story, go here.

I hope to see you in the RESPONSE section about this week’s script: First Cow.