The Hawk Is Dying (2006)

User Rating:

5.8/10   

Director:

Julian Goldberger

Writers:

Harry Crews (novel)
Julian Goldberger (writer)

Release Date:

9 July 2008 (France)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A Gainesville Florida auto upholsterer (Giamatti) attempts to subvert his mundane life by training a wild, red-tailed hawk. |

Plot Keywords:

Gainesville Florida | Upholsterer | Hawk | Obsession | Drowning

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Paul Giamatti	...	George Gattling
Michelle Williams	...	Betty
Michael Pitt	...	Fred
Rusty Schwimmer	...	Precious
Robert Wisdom	...	Billy Bob
Ann Wedgeworth	...	Ma Gattling
Mark Campbell	...	Football Player
Ayana Rhoden	...	Girlfriend
Taylor Simpson	...	Gray Bony Lady
John Hostetter	...	Nebbish Professor
Steve DuMouchel	...	Marvin Hill
Katie Dixon	...	Young Female Undergrad
Veryl Jones	...	Ambulance Driver
Karl Anthony	...	Dr. Leep
Marc Macaulay	...	Alonzo

Runtime:

USA:112 min (Sundance Film Festival)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:M | Netherlands:6

Filming Locations:

Florida, USA

Company:

Antidote Films (I)

Trivia:

The production schedule only allowed for 24 days of shooting.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: The captured bird featured in the film is identified as a red tailed hawk. The bird shown in the film is most likely a Lanner Falcon.

Quotes:

Fred: You never have.

Movie Connections:

References "Aquaman" (1968)

A mystic film

This American feature film is not starring Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise or Jack Nicholson or Julia Roberts or Cameron Diaz. This American feature film does not take place a big city. And you won't see big cars, big money, big guns, crude sex or kung fu fighting or murders with ice-picks. Then what's left ? Well…picture a typical American family…no don't.

The "family" is composed of a man, George, living with his overweight sister abandoned by her stupid husband who couldn't bear bringing up an autistic son. Oh. I forgot to add the family pet : a not yet domesticated red tailed hawk. And that's the point : George tries to domesticate the hawk at all costs. So what is the hawk ? That is the question you'll have to answer by yourself. A fascinating film with excellent playing from the main actor as well as beautiful photography throughout the film.

This has nothing, absolutely nothing to do with your regular Hollywood dung. Answer this : are you willing to watch something different, something beautiful and mystic with no masticated answers shoved down your throat ?