The Hawk Is Dying

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The Hawk Is Dying

2007

1h 52m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

30%

Tomatometer

23 Reviews

43%

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1,000+ Ratings

George Gatling (Paul Giamatti) works as an upholsterer, but his true calling is the ancient art of falconry. He shares that passion with his beloved nephew, Fred (Michael Pitt), but their previous attempts to train a wild bird have all met with failure. The two capture a magnificent red-tailed hawk, but then a horrible tragedy devastates George. Utterly grief-stricken, he refuses to eat or sleep until he wins the hawk's trust.

Critics Consensus

Paul Giamatti lends his character some pathos, but The Hawk is Dying is otherwise too ambiguous and morose to be enjoyable.

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Bill Stamets

Chicago Sun-Times

Goldberger and Giamatti strain too hard for strangeness.

Rated: 2/4

May 4, 2007

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

These strengths seldom mesh persuasively.

May 4, 2007

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Noel Murray

AV Club

The Hawk Is Dying is a fragile little movie, occasionally ridiculous, but with M. Night Shyamalan's Lady In The Water, Giamatti proved that he can make even the weirdest material believable.

Rated: B

Apr 5, 2007

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Chad Greene

Boxoffice Magazine

Never takes flight.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 7, 2007

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Doris Toumarkine

Film Journal International

Ultimately, this inscrutable film is just an exercise in self-indulgence.

Mar 31, 2007

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Ken Fox

TV Guide

Giamatti delivers yet another superb performance, turning what might have been a freak show into an unexpectedly moving experience.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 30, 2007

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Ronald H

This film captures the spirit of the Harry Crews novel quite well. It's odd, disturbing, grotesque, and heartbreaking, but it's also compelling and ultimately life affirming. Paul Giamatti gives one of the greatest performances of his career. "The Hawk is Dying" is rightfully filmed in Gainesville, Florida, where the original book was set. Crews lived there for decades and taught at the University of Florida. He died there in 2012. In many ways, his spirit haunts that town. It also haunts this movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/18/23

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Audience Member

Fascinating story. Great cast. Too bad the script gives them next to nothing to work with.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

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Audience Member

While the story leaves much to be desired Paul Giamatti gives a stunning performance!

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

An incredibly hard movie for me to care about, despite Paul Giamatti's stand out performance. The hawk gets annoying, particularly when he starts carrying it around. The pace is too slow, despite the sombre events I just lost interest. The scene when his nephew's body is discovered is powerful, beautiful and raw performances make this a stand out scene, I just wish this power had continued throughout the whole movie. A bit of a sleeper.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

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Audience Member

Weird. Eccentric. But endearing. Enjoyed it.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

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Audience Member

A warm and wonderful, lesson learning experience.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

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Julian Goldberger

Director

Paul Giamatti

George

Michelle Williams

Betty

Michael Pitt

Fred

Rusty Schwimmer

Precious

Robert Wisdom

Billy Bob

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Synopsis

George Gatling (Paul Giamatti) works as an upholsterer, but his true calling is the ancient art of falconry. He shares that passion with his beloved nephew, Fred (Michael Pitt), but their previous attempts to train a wild bird have all met with failure. The two capture a magnificent red-tailed hawk, but then a horrible tragedy devastates George. Utterly grief-stricken, he refuses to eat or sleep until he wins the hawk's trust.

Director: Julian Goldberger
Producer: Jeffrey Kusama-Hinte, Mary Jane Skalski
Screenwriter: Julian Goldberger
Distributor: Strand Releasing
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 30, 2007, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 13, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $6.1K
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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