The Hawk Is Dying 2007

Drama

Box Office

$24K

Language

English

Directed by

Julian Goldberger

Made by

Strand Releasing

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The Hawk Is Dying Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for The Hawk Is Dying (2007). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

George Gattling, an auto upholsterer from Gainesville, Florida, finds himself feeling alienated both in the world and within his own skin. Seeking an escape from his humdrum existence, he embarks on a journey to train a wild red-tailed hawk. As the owner of University Custom Auto Shop, he bears the weight of being the discontented head of his family, which includes his divorced sister, Precious, and her 20-year-old autistic son, Fred. Unbeknownst to him, he also serves as an unwitting subject in the life study of young psychology student Betty, who works at the auto shop.

George harbors a profound aspiration to capture and train hawks, a time-honored practice that demands not just skill but also extreme personal sacrifice. This shared enthusiasm for bird training bonds him with Fred, providing a unique escape from the monotony of life. The tranquil moments spent tracking these majestic creatures in the pre-dawn hours allow George to momentarily detach from the absurdity of modern civilization.

After years filled with disappointment, George, alongside his nephew Fred, finally succeeds in capturing a breathtaking red-tailed hawk. However, tragedy strikes when Fred dies unexpectedly during the night, drowning in his water bed, leaving George heartbroken. In his devastation, George becomes convinced that his survival is intricately linked to the hawk he has captured. Surgeoning with determination, he resolves to tame her—committing to a period of absolute deprivation, wherein neither he nor the bird will eat or sleep until they succeed. As he plunges deeper into this struggle, he finds himself engaged in a tense showdown with a creature that would rather die than submit.

To those around him, George’s relentless pursuit appears increasingly irrational; his family begins to worry about his sanity as he inches closer to his goal. Only Betty recognizes the profound necessity for George to confront his inner turmoil, understanding that this journey to the brink is essential for his salvation. She observes as George enters a realm where senses are heightened and emotions run raw—a realm where one can truly perceive the “blood of things.”

The Hawk Is Dying Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of The Hawk Is Dying (2007) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

George's Alienation

George Gattling, an auto upholsterer, feels a profound sense of alienation in both the world around him and in his own identity. Living in Gainesville, Florida, he grapples with discontent, struggling to find purpose in his mundane life.

Gainesville, Florida

The Desire for Change

Seeking an escape from his monotonous life, George develops a strong desire to train a wild red-tailed hawk. This ambition symbolizes his quest for freedom and fulfillment away from his responsibilities and familial obligations.

Family Dynamics

George is the head of his family, which includes his divorced sister, Precious, and her autistic son, Fred. Their family dynamics add to George's stress, as he feels the weight of expectations and the burdens of care.

Meeting Betty

Betty, a young psychology student, becomes involved in George's life as she works at his auto shop. Unbeknownst to George, she is studying his behavioral patterns, adding an additional layer of complexity to his already strained life.

University Custom Auto Shop

Bonding with Fred

As George pursues his dream of training hawks, he begins to bond with his nephew Fred. This shared passion creates a vital connection between them, providing George with a momentary escape from his responsibilities.

Capturing the Hawk

After years of effort and disappointment, George and Fred finally succeed in capturing a magnificent red-tailed hawk. This achievement marks a significant moment in George's life, rekindling hope and motivation within him.

Tragedy Strikes

In a heartbreaking turn of events, Fred unexpectedly drowns in his water bed during the night. This tragedy leaves George devastated, compounding his feelings of isolation and sorrow.

A Link to Survival

In his grief, George develops an unwavering belief that his survival is linked to the hawk he has captured. This realization deepens his commitment to train the hawk, which he now views as a crucial element of his existence.

Commitment to Training

Determined to tame the hawk, George embarks on a torturous regimen of deprivation for both himself and the bird. He commits to not eating or sleeping, believing that through this sacrifice, they will achieve their goal.

Intense Showdown

As George immerses himself in the training process, he finds himself engaged in a tense and challenging standoff with the hawk. Their struggle embodies George's personal battle, as both he and the creature fight against submission.

Family Concern

George's relentless pursuit begins to raise alarm among his family, who worry about his mental state. They observe his increasingly irrational behavior, questioning whether he is losing touch with reality.

Betty's Understanding

Amidst the turmoil, Betty recognizes the importance of George's journey. She understands that his need to confront his inner struggles is vital for his personal growth and eventual salvation.

Heightened Senses

As George enters a deep state of desperation and determination, he experiences heightened senses and raw emotions. This transformative phase allows him to perceive life in a new way, connecting him deeply to the world around him.

The Blood of Things

In this intense and emotional state, George becomes aware of the profound realities of existence. He grasps the concept of the ‘blood of things’—a metaphor for the deeper truths of life that many overlook amidst modern distractions.

The Hawk Is Dying Characters

Explore all characters from The Hawk Is Dying (2007). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

George Gattling

George is a complex character battling his inner demons while seeking solace in the art of falconry. His discontent with life and feelings of alienation drive him to unusual lengths for personal redemption. His evolving relationship with the hawk symbolizes his desperate need to overcome grief and redefine his purpose.

🛠️ Auto Shop Owner 🌪️ Troubled 🦅 Falconer

Fred

Fred is George's 20-year-old autistic nephew, whose innocent nature and strong bond with George add emotional depth to the story. His tragic death serves as the catalyst for George's downward spiral, highlighting the impact of loss on familial relationships. Fred represents both the joy and fragility of life.

👦 Autistic ❤️ Innocence 💔 Loss

Precious

Precious, George's divorced sister, exemplifies the challenges of family dynamics and personal struggles. Her role emphasizes the theme of responsibility and the burden that family can impose during times of crisis. She represents the love and worry that family members experience amidst turmoil.

👩‍👧 Family 💓 Concerned 🔒 Protective

Betty

Betty is a young psychology student and employee at George's auto shop, providing a fresh perspective on George's tumultuous life. Her understanding of George's psyche gives her a unique position to support him, recognizing the necessity of confronting one's inner turmoil for growth. She symbolizes hope and insight amidst chaos.

📖 Student 💡 Insightful 💔 Empathetic

The Hawk Is Dying Settings

Learn where and when The Hawk Is Dying (2007) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

The movie does not specify a particular time period, focusing instead on the personal journey of its characters. It reflects a timeless struggle with themes of loss, connection, and the quest for meaning in life, transcending any specific historical context.

Location

Gainesville, Florida

Gainesville, Florida, known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities, serves as the backdrop for George's journey. The city's rich wildlife and serene landscapes offer a contrasting escape from his mundane life. This location plays a crucial role as it reflects George's inner turmoil and desire for liberation.

🌴 Florida 🦅 Nature

The Hawk Is Dying Themes

Discover the main themes in The Hawk Is Dying (2007). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

🦅

Redemption

Redemption is central to George's story, as he seeks peace and clarity through the bond with the hawk. His journey reflects a deep personal transformation, exploring the lengths one will go to escape their own despair. The struggle with grief and the pursuit of healing are at the forefront of this theme.

💔

Loss

Loss looms heavily over George's life, particularly the unexpected death of his nephew, Fred. This tragedy drives him to madness as he grapples with how to cope with his sorrow. The film portrays how loss can lead to both profound despair and a quest for purpose.

🦉

Isolation

Isolation is a significant theme, as George feels alienated from the world around him. His detachment from family and society reflects a deeper struggle with self-identity and purpose. The training of the hawk represents a desperate attempt to connect and find meaning amidst his solitude.

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The Hawk Is Dying Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of The Hawk Is Dying (2007). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In the quiet outskirts of Gainesville, Florida, an everyday world of grease‑stained workshops and suburban routine hides a deeper yearning for something untamed. George Gattling runs University Custom Auto Shop, a place where engines roar and the scent of leather fills the air, yet inside him a restless silence grows louder with each passing day. His life feels stitched together with obligations—family expectations, a fractured marriage, and the slow grind of an existence that never quite fits his skin.

The film paints this everyday setting with a lyrical, almost meditative tone, allowing the viewer to sense the texture of late‑night streets, the glow of pre‑dawn fields, and the quiet ache of unspoken dreams. Against this backdrop, George’s relationship with his sister Precious and her son Fred provides a fragile but essential tether. Precious, navigating her own divorce, leans on George’s steadiness, while Fred, an autistic young man with a quiet intensity, shares a surprisingly tender bond with him through a mutual fascination for birds of prey.

When a wild red‑tailed hawk appears, it becomes more than a creature of feather and talon; it turns into a mirror for George’s inner turmoil. The promise of training the bird offers a seductive glimpse of control, purpose, and a chance to break free from the weight of his responsibilities. The pursuit is presented with a stark, almost reverent reverie—sunrise chases, the hush of open fields, the electric tension between human and nature that teeters between reverence and obsession.

Observing from the margins is Betty, a psychology student who works at the shop and watches George’s quiet storm with both curiosity and empathy. Her perspective adds a subtle, intellectual layer, hinting that George’s quest may be as much about confronting internal shadows as it is about mastering a creature. The film lingers in this charged atmosphere, inviting the audience to wonder how far one will go when the line between survival and surrender blurs.

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