‘H is for Hawk’ is a Tender Depiction of Loss and Depression
Claire Foy in H is for Hawk | Credit: Roadside Attractions
After the death of her father, Helen (Claire Foy) begins training a hawk, and discovers much about herself in the process.
This film is incredibly grounded in its depiction of grief and depression. I expected this film to lean into melodrama the way that so many do, but H is for Hawk resists that urge. Instead, we see a woman losing herself in a way that feels really true to life.
Claire Foy gives a wonderful performance as Helen. This role is so interior as Helen fades into the background of her own life, and yet, there’s a depth of emotion. There’s so much brimming just beneath the surface for much of the film that Helen is just unable to access because of her grief. Foy’s performance is understated but powerfully shows this complexity.
H is for Hawk also has so much empathy for Helen and what she’s going through. We see her sinking further and further into depression, and, as the audience, we are unable to help her, but desperately want more for her. As a person who struggles with depression, I felt empathy for Helen and had a frame of reference for what she was going through. I also felt such compassion for her friend Christina (Denise Gough) and her mom (Lindsay Duncan), who try their best to care for her, but don’t always know how to do so.
There isn’t a villain in this film; there are simply people who are doing their best to get through a difficult situation. The film has empathy for each character involved, with all of their strengths and weaknesses.
Claire Foy in H is for Hawk | Credit: Roadside Attractions
Throughout H is for Hawk, we see flashbacks to Helen's memories of her father (Brendan Gleeson). In these moments, Helen is vibrant and smiling and laughing with her father, who was so full of joy. These moments really highlight the void that is now left in Helen’s life, and we feel that void too. We also want to go back to the times when things were more vibrant and the world felt lighter.
We also feel relief when Helen and her hawk, Mabel, are able to get out of the city and into the field. These moments are a welcome break from the restricted walls of her apartment. The beautiful cinematography emphasizes the contrast between the two locations.
Sometimes the camera is still, allowing us to really take in the gorgeous scenery. Other times, the camera follows Mabel as she hunts her prey, cutting back to Helen, who is desperately trying to chase her hawk through the forest. These choices provide a welcome visual contrast, highlighting the sense of stuckness Helen experiences when she is back in her home.
Claire Foy in H is for Hawk | Credit: Roadside Attractions
H is for Hawk is a beautiful and thoughtful exploration of grief and depression that really hit home for me. This film has so much empathy for all of its characters and avoids melodrama, separating it from many other films that explore similar themes. The ending is so cathartic while not being overly rosy; the story is wisely narrow in its scope so that we can go deep with Helen in this season of her life.
I think this film is great for those who have struggled with depression and those who have a loved one who struggles with depression. The depiction of this very human struggle is an invitation to empathy and a beautiful reminder of the power of community and connection. It’s well worth checking out.