H Is for Hawk

by Mike McGranaghan

We’ve seen movies about people and their dogs, people and their cats, and people and their horses. H Is for Hawk is the first one about a person and her goshawk. The overall theme may be familiar – animals can help us heal – but the uniqueness of the creature gives the film a level of curiosity that’s easy to become invested in.

Helen Macdonald (Claire Foy) is an academic mourning the sudden passing of her photographer father Alisdair (Brendan Gleeson, seen in flashbacks) with whom she used to go hawk-watching. Neck deep in grief, she spontaneously adopts a goshawk she names Mabel. (When my dad died, I spontaneously bought an electric guitar, despite not knowing how to play the instrument, so I kind of identify with this.) Training the bird proves difficult yet she manages to make strides. Working with Mabel consumes Helen, causing her to distance herself from her job and friends. It also spurs her to find meaning in life once again.

H Is for Hawk contains many scenes showing what it takes to care for and train a bird of this type. Helen has to chain Mabel to her protection glove, restraining it when it tries to fly away, to teach it to stay with her. A little mask must be placed over its eyes to keep it calm. We learn about hawk feeding, hunting techniques, and how the creatures have two stomachs. All this information is quite interesting. Adding to the effect is that Mabel is clearly portrayed by a real bird. Foy, as a result, sometimes has genuine reactions to unscripted things the hawk does. Her ad-lib when it spontaneously takes a dump on the floor is hilarious.

An abundance of gorgeous hawk footage, much of it up-close, is an additional draw. Director Philippa Lowthorpe and director of photography Charlotte Bruus Christensen get breathtaking shots. When Mabel stalks a rabbit through a forest, it’s almost as exciting as any cinematic chase scene involving vehicles. Even glimpses of the hawk sitting quietly prove stunning because it’s such a beautiful being.

Claire Foy makes the bond between human and animal feel genuine. Working opposite a hawk couldn’t have been easy. The actress nonetheless suggests the profound emotional connection Helen forms with Mabel. She delivers a portrait of grief that will hit home for anyone who has ever come unmoored after losing a parent. Brendan Gleeson is dependable as ever as Helen’s dad. Through him, we sense Alisdair’s presence hanging over the entire story, despite limited screen time.

The supporting characters of Helen’s mom (Lindsay Duncan) and best friend Christina (Denise Gough) are one-dimensional, and the plot’s progression strictly adheres to a familiar template of movies about people and their animals. Foy and the hawk are magnificent, though, ensuring that H Is for Hawk touches the heart.

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