The Hawk Is Dying

I started out, before I saw Sideways, as a skeptic of Giamatti's talent. After that film, I had to make a 180 on my view. He was exceptional. I've liked him a lot in most everything he's been in, but a Hawk is Dying is a work that I am sure he will always remember. This was a perfect film for his unique, everyday man, with enormous depth and complexity (like most of us everyday people).

In this film, he and most of the other characters, give exceptional performances, in my opinion, because this was a small film. This film didn't have to conform to the Hollywood formula, so that millions of people can understand the plot, and get excited about the action or the comedy. This film was made for a smaller audience that likes to be treated like a thoughtful person, and enjoys escaping into another world. What this film did well was draw the audience into a world that it might never have seen, but it can identify with.

I would recommend this film. Watch it without distraction and let it take you into a very interesting and captivating story about love, compassion and the frustration that comes with giving of yourself and then facing those others that did not, and will never understand what you have done. The complex emotions come through, without hyperbole or obvious references, inserted to make sure we don't miss the point. This is true film, a window into life experience, from other humans, like us, who live and feel and hurt and struggle.

In The Hawk is Dying, Paul Giamatti plays George Gattling, a single guy who owns an auto upholstery store and lives with his divorced sister Precious (Rusty Schwimmer) and her mentally handicapped son Fred (Michael Pitt). George is infatuated with birds of prey and is almost single-mindedly committed to training one. However, his past efforts have failed, much to his public embarrassment, and the movie opens with Fred holding a private funeral for a recently deceased hawk.

George and Fred finally trap another bird, this an exquisite red-tailed hawk. His challenge is to get it to eat so it will stay alive, no small challenge to a wild hawk suddenly in captivity. Saving the hawk becomes an objective Gattling tenaciously clings to despite tragic circumstances he is forced to endure. This is one plum role for Giamatti and he plays it to perfection. The movie might not play to a large audience, but Giamatti's performance is once-again Oscar worthy.

Without getting too esoteric, the Hawk is Dying is a powerful metaphor. We do find things—hobbies, interests, relationships and activities—that bring passion to our lives, define who we are and give us a reason to endure. These pursuits can take on a life of their own, providing almost mystical enchantment and meaning to our otherwise humdrum existence.

One can argue that Hawk moves slowly, that there isn't any meaningful action, that the relationships are … unusual. All those things are true. This is a flawed movie and certainly open to criticism. But Giamatti is so good, and his single-minded pursuit so compelling, that it's a movie you won't want to miss.

I just saw this movie in Los Angeles in quite a limited screening. I was compelled to go as a Crews fan, yet this movie surpassed my expectations. Julian Goldberger is now one of my favorite directors and I believe this movie is brilliant. Beautifully shot with incredible hand held cinematography, a lush setting where "nature was a character"and a deep commitment to humanism and the complex feelings of love and meaning, this film truly resonates within the individual. The idea of how we relate to the day to day, to the absurd, to nature and the wild are just some of the things I loved about the movie. The setting was magical as the bird. I felt the wild, I felt the loneliness, I felt the love and the music of the earth. Giamatti(amazingamazing),Williams(really good), Schwimmer, Wisdom, Pitt, MacCaulay all were attop form; they portrayed the true characters and the realism that makes Crews so attractive. I found myself unbelievably moved at the sadness and joy and everything in between. This movie is so layered in good flimmaking, I could go on and on...from the players, the director, the incredible sound (THE SOUND!!), and the unbelievable photography/cinematography. The screen adaptation is slightly different from the novel, but I believe it captures the largeness and smallness of our world and mysteries of life. It flows and the tension and release are palpable. Although this film was not well-received atSundance and, according to the QandA, most reviews dismal, I found thisrefreshing. So often what is outside the status quo is co-opted; themarginalized becomes the mainstream in a base and compromised position. I hate that people namedrop Harry Crews as a badge of cool, along with their silkscreened tshirts and overpriced jeans. I doubt that Jarmusch or Altman were well received at first either. Now they are listed on those "cool" folks myspace page. This movie should extend beyond all reviews; it stands as a strong work of art and an intelligent beautiful movie. The only reason I do not give it a 10 is because ...well I'm changing my vote to a 10. This ranks as one of my favorite movies of all time.

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 ?

Another film that showcases the talents of Paul Giamatti. I feel as though he may be one of the best actors of the early 20th century. Alone, his performance was worth the price of admission. His performance is award worthy. The film captures the ambiance of Alachua County Florida, and the director knew how to capture excellent performances from the cast (especially the hawks). See this film for the exceptional believability of the cast. Not a movie for crunching popcorn in, but a good film none the less. If I was to have anything negative at all to say about the film, is that it suffered from a lack of pacing at times. I will give it my highest rating - I felt as though I got my money's worth! Seen at Sundance 06 24 Jan