H is for Hawk is a biographical film that tells the true story of a grieving woman who rescues and trains a goshawk falcon. Source: Australian Catholics.
When her beloved father, Alistair MacDonald (Gleeson), passes away, Helen (Foy) is stricken with grief. Her father died unexpectedly after a lifetime of work as a respected photojournalist, with an interest in in falcons.
Helen purchases a young goshawk and decides to train the bird as a way of understanding her loss, and the film deals authentically with the challenges of good falconry.
Helen immerses herself with the discipline of hawk training and names her female bird Mabel.
Through detailed and time-consuming training sessions, Helen develops an intense relationship with Mabel that leads her to better understand the bird’s habits and instincts.
Slowly, she finds refuge from human concerns by absorbing herself in the pleasures of the natural world around her that she has helped to construct.
But the pain of her grief is extreme, and lasting recovery from loss and full re-engagement with the human world are difficult goals to pursue.
This is an inspiring nature film, beautifully photographed, acted, and directed in a way that never lets go of the value of genuine human concern.
It is a welcome return to the cinema screen for Gleeson, who takes the role of Helen’s father with great sensitivity.
The moral lesson is a strong one: there is a rich, human reward to be found in turning away from resentment and experiencing the benefits of attachment and belonging.
Review by Peter W Sheehan, Jesuit Media
H is for Hawk: Starring Claire Foy, Brendan Gleeson, Denise Gough, Sam Spruell, Lindsay Duncan. Directed by Philippa Lowthorpe. 119 minutes. Rated M (Coarse language).
FULL REVIEW
H is for Hawk (Australian Catholics)
