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The Hawk Is Dying

Play trailer Poster for The Hawk Is Dying 2007 1h 52m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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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.

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The Hawk Is Dying

The Hawk Is Dying

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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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Critics Reviews

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Bill Stamets Chicago Sun-Times 05/04/2007
2/4
Goldberger and Giamatti strain too hard for strangeness. Go to Full Review Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader 05/04/2007
These strengths seldom mesh persuasively. Go to Full Review Noel Murray AV Club 04/05/2007
B
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. Go to Full Review Chad Greene Boxoffice Magazine 04/07/2007
2/5
Never takes flight. Go to Full Review Doris Toumarkine Film Journal International 03/31/2007
Ultimately, this inscrutable film is just an exercise in self-indulgence. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ronald H @RT44372985 06/18/2023 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. See more 12/06/2015 Fascinating story. Great cast. Too bad the script gives them next to nothing to work with. See more 04/10/2014 While the story leaves much to be desired Paul Giamatti gives a stunning performance! See more 02/06/2013 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. See more 06/03/2012 Weird. Eccentric. But endearing. Enjoyed it. See more 07/15/2011 A warm and wonderful, lesson learning experience. See more Read all reviews
The Hawk Is Dying

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Cast & Crew

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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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The Hawk Is Dying

The Hawk Is Dying (2006) A scene from the film "The Hawk Is Dying." A scene from the film "The Hawk Is Dying." A scene from the film "The Hawk Is Dying." A scene from the film "The Hawk Is Dying." A scene from the film "The Hawk Is Dying." A scene from the film "The Hawk Is Dying." View more photos

Movie Info

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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