“H Is for Hawk” film Soars as a Moving Portrait of Grief,Even Without the Book’s Poetry
By Emma Walker,World-Today-News.com – November 16, 2023
The experiance of grief is a deeply personal one, frequently enough leaving us searching for the right words – or finding solace in unexpected places. For many, including myself, Helen Macdonald‘s memoir, “H Is for Hawk,” offered precisely that comfort. Now, that poignant story has been adapted for the screen, starring Claire Foy, and while it may not fully capture the lyrical beauty of the source material, the film delivers a moving and resonant exploration of loss and the unconventional path to healing.
“Looking for goshawks is like looking for grace: it comes, but not often, and you don’t get to say when or how,” Macdonald writes. Her memoir, born from the death of her photographer father, Alisdair “Ali Mac” MacDonald, details her remarkable decision to train a goshawk as a means of processing her grief. The book is a captivating blend of falconry, literary reflection (notably on T.H. White’s “The Goshawk“),and a raw,internal journey.
The film, directed by Philippa Lowthorpe, understandably shifts the focus. While it retains the core narrative – a young woman grappling with loss through the demanding art of falconry – it leans more heavily into a conventional biographical portrait, showcasing Foy’s compelling performance as a headstrong, often prickly, Macdonald. The stunning visuals of Foy interacting with her goshawk, Mabel, are a significant gain over the book’s purely textual experience. Though, as the review notes, the film sometimes sacrifices the original’s philosophical depth for a more straightforward depiction of a woman and her remarkable companion (a term Macdonald herself might resist).
Interestingly, at its premiere at the Telluride Film Festival, the reviewer found that few attendees had actually read the book. This highlights a crucial point: the film stands on its own merits. It’s a powerful account of an eccentric pursuit undertaken in response to profound sorrow. Brendan Gleeson delivers a particularly touching performance as Ali Mac, portrayed as a supportive and understanding father whose absence is keenly felt. Flashbacks reveal his artistic curiosity and the deep bond he shared with his daughter, making his loss all the more devastating.the film also beautifully illustrates the subtle ways grief can reshape a life. Macdonald’s academic career falters, her future uncertain, but she finds unexpected support in her friend Christina (Denise Gough). The narrative subtly suggests that loss, while painful, can also be liberating - a chance to “fly in ways you wouldn’t have dared” when a loved one was still present.
Ultimately, ”H Is for Hawk” is a sensitive and affecting film that offers a unique viewpoint on grief, resilience, and the surprising connections we forge in the face of loss. While fans of the book may miss Macdonald’s distinctive prose,the film provides a compelling and visually arresting experience that resonates long after the credits roll.