Review of The Hawk Is Dying (2007) by Zane U — 25 Jan 2010

So, the premise is this: George desperately wants to train a hawk and, despite failing 4 times resulting in 4 separate hawk's deaths, he is confident that this time will be different. Sideplots involve the death of a handicapped nephew, his failure to earn respect and esteem of his peers, and a budding relationship with a junky college student.

It's all quite bizarre, but it's also captivating if for no other reason than Giamatti's performance and the spectacle of a man's relationship with a hawk. The hawk is George's ticket to respect and its presence is an essential extension of his character, and depending on your ability to buy into that (even in strange amusement), the movie is pretty strong.