H Is for Hawk Review: Claire Foy's Best Performance Yet
Cinema is a powerful medium, capable of exploring complex emotions and themes from multiple angles. This is evident in the thoughtful adaptation of Helen Macdonald's bestselling grief memoir, 'H Is for Hawk', which arrives on the big screen just weeks after another adaptation of a bestselling grief novel, 'Hamnet'. Both films delve into the struggles of a strong female lead, in this case, Macdonald, brilliantly portrayed by Claire Foy from 'The Crown'. They both use the loss of a male relative as a backdrop to explore the relationship between a woman and nature, with the women forming bonds with birds of prey and finding solace in understanding their place in the natural world.
However, despite these similarities, 'H Is for Hawk' takes a different approach to storytelling. It begins with the tragic news of Macdonald's father, Alisdair (played by the talented Brendan Gleeson), passing away in 2007. Instead of an emotional outpouring, Macdonald, a research fellow at Cambridge, responds with a sense of composure, opting for a fancy restaurant dinner with her friend Christina (Denise Gough). This subtle contrast sets the tone for the rest of the film.
Macdonald's impulsive decision to adopt a goshawk, named Mabel, is a pivotal moment. She learns from expert Stuart (Sam Spruell) that goshawks are wild and unpredictable, mirroring the complex and chaotic nature of grief. The film then becomes a dual narrative, exploring Macdonald's evolving yet cautious bond with Mabel while also delving into the emotional breakdown of the young academic and her estrangement from the superficial academic world at Cambridge. The university setting, as depicted by director Philippa Lowthorpe and screenwriter Emma Donoghue, is portrayed as a hindrance to Macdonald's quest for genuine connection with nature.
Donoghue's adaptation also adds some clever supporting scenes, such as Macdonald's witty university rant about Thomas Carlyle's 'great man' theory of history, even as she grapples with the loss of the one true hero in her life. Foy's performance is exceptional throughout, effortlessly transitioning between awe and terror while sharing the screen with a menacing goshawk.
One of the most compelling scenes shows Macdonald, with a raptor on her wrist, calmly walking through her Cambridge flat, introducing Mabel to her kitchen appliances while stating matter-of-factly, 'This is my kitchen, and these are some of my treasures.'
Macdonald's profound realization comes in a quiet moment, where she simply acknowledges that her father was the only person who truly understood her, and now, in his absence, she deeply misses him. This moment is delivered without any dramatic flair, strings, or wailing.
In the end, the protagonist seeks solace in nature and Mabel, striving to find meaning in the face of death's omnipresence, the fleeting nature of life, and the urgent yet potentially futile search for purpose. 'H Is for Hawk' is a thought-provoking film that showcases Claire Foy's exceptional talent.
★★★★☆
12A, 115min
In cinemas from Jan 23
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