The Hawk Is Dying

Play trailer

The Hawk Is Dying

Released Mar 30, 2007

1h 52m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

30%

Tomatometer

23 Reviews

43%

Popcornmeter

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Bill Stamets

Chicago Sun-Times

Goldberger and Giamatti strain too hard for strangeness.

Rated: 2/4

May 4, 2007

Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

These strengths seldom mesh persuasively.

May 4, 2007

Full Review

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

Full Review

Chad Greene

Boxoffice Magazine

Never takes flight.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 7, 2007

Full Review

Doris Toumarkine

Film Journal International

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

Mar 31, 2007

Full Review

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

Full Review

Read all reviews

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Audience Member

Weird. Eccentric. But endearing. Enjoyed it.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A warm and wonderful, lesson learning experience.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Julian Goldberger

Director

Paul Giamatti

George

Michelle Williams

Betty

Michael Pitt

Fred

Rusty Schwimmer

Precious

Robert Wisdom

Billy Bob

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Fierce People

24%

58%

Fierce People

Watchlist

Local Color

39%

59%

Local Color

Watchlist

The Greatest Game Ever Played

62%

82%

The Greatest Game Ever Played

Watchlist

Land of the Blind

17%

63%

Land of the Blind

Watchlist

The Village Barbershop

80%

57%

The Village Barbershop

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Critical Consensus: Here’s To You, "Robinsons"; "Blades" Needs Sharpening; "Lookout" Worth A Look

SUNDANCE: Weinberg’s Sundance Scorecard

View more photos

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)

Most Popular at Home Now