Finding Flight in Loss: A Deep Dive into “H Is for Hawk” and the Healing Power of Nature
“H Is for Hawk,” adapted from Helen Macdonald’s acclaimed memoir, isn’t simply a film about falconry. It’s a profoundly moving exploration of grief, identity, and the unexpected solace found in connecting with the wild. This review delves into how director Harry Lowthorpe masterfully translates Macdonald’s internal journey to the screen, offering a unique perspective on loss and the path toward healing.
A Different Kind of Grief Story
Many films portray grief as a descent into despair. “H Is for Hawk” takes a different approach. Rather of wallowing, the movie accompanies Helen (played with stunning nuance by Jessie Buckley) through her pain, mirroring the steadfast support of her friend Christina (denise Gough). This isn’t a story of “fixing” grief, but of living with it.
The Unexpected Wings of Loss
Macdonald’s memoir, and the film adaptation, touch upon a fascinating phenomenon. Losing a parent can, paradoxically, unlock a new sense of freedom. It’s as if the boundaries previously defined by familial expectations dissolve, allowing you to pursue paths you wouldn’t have dared before. Helen’s lifelong love of birds,inherited from her father,takes on a new urgency after his death.
This manifests in a bold decision: to train a goshawk, a notoriously challenging and powerful predator. It’s a symbolic act,hinting at a desire to connect with something primal and untamed – a force beyond the constraints of her sorrow. As Macdonald herself notes, the experience offered a crucial space for reflection: “I’d closed the door on the world outside. Now I could think of my father.”
The Art of Connection: Helen and Mabel
Lowthorpe meticulously portrays the stages of Helen’s relationship with Mabel, the goshawk. We witness the initial, almost clandestine acquisition of the bird, the stark advice from the breeder (“murder” is suggested as a management technique), and the painstaking process of building trust.
This isn’t about domination, but about connection. Helen offers raw meat, avoids direct eye contact, and patiently waits for Mabel to accept her. The film beautifully captures Helen’s wonder at Mabel’s power and beauty – the lethal precision of her talons, the iridescent sheen of her plumage. Mabel becomes more than a pet; she’s a consuming responsibility and, crucially, a distraction from Helen’s grief.
A Visual Feast, With a Caveat
The cinematography, especially Mark payne-Gill’s footage of Mabel hunting in the wild, is breathtaking. You’re drawn into the goshawk’s world, mesmerized by its skill and grace. Tho, the film occasionally leans too heavily into these extended sequences, slightly disrupting the narrative flow.
friends and family express concern over Helen’s intense focus, a natural reaction that underscores the all-consuming nature of her new pursuit.
Authenticity and Performance
Jessie Buckley’s performance is central to the film’s success. She embodies Helen’s complexity – her irritability, her anti-social tendencies, her chain-smoking – without judgment. Buckley underwent rigorous falconry training,ensuring her interactions with Mabel feel authentic. There’s no faking the initial struggle as Mabel twists and flaps to escape, and the eventual trust that allows her to return to Helen’s glove.
You see a mirroring between Helen and Mabel, a shared wildness and independence. Lowthorpe wisely avoids imposing a single interpretation, allowing Helen to simply be in her grief, finding her own way forward.
Beyond the hawk: Untapped Potential
while the film excels at portraying Helen’s personal journey, it leaves some intriguing avenues unexplored. A late-film acknowledgement of mental health is welcome, offering potential comfort to viewers experiencing similar losses.
Though, the film could have benefited from delving deeper into Macdonald’s extensive research, referenced in her memoir. Exploring connections to works like Ken Loach’s “Kes” or the life of T.H. White, author of “The Once and Future King” (a queer icon whose biography is as compelling as Macdonald’s), would have enriched the narrative and added layers of context.
Why “H Is for Hawk” Resonates
“H Is for Hawk” is a rare and