Review of The Hawk (1993) by Roger P — 14 Oct 2011

"The Hawk" is a very disappointing psychological thriller. Starring Helen Mirren, and boasting a strong supporting cast of top-notch British character actors, it promises much but fails to deliver.

Helen Mirren plays the part of Anne, a housewife with a history of mental health problems, the mother of two young children, who lives in the north of England. She comes to believe that her husband, a travelling service engineer who has been away from home on many of the relevant occasions, is a serial killer whom the media have dubbed "The Hawk" (because he gouges out the eyes of his female victims).

So, the basic premise of the plot is not a bad one. And the acting is OK. The problem is that the film is plodding and dull - and provides very little in the way of real suspense. In addition, the script is poor.

The concluding double twist is unconvincing in the light of what has preceded it and there are several scenes throughout the film that are simply implausible. For example, I could not understand Anne's decision to confide her suspicions in a neighbour and friend with whom she is not on particularly close terms.

And a pivotal scene towards the end of the film that occurs in a car disposal site is frankly ludicrous. 4/10.