User reviews

If I were to compare this movie to another I would say that it is sort of like a cross between "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and "Patch Adams". Granted it is not as good as Nest was, however it is not nearly as horrid as "Patch Adams" so I say it is closer to Cuckoo's Nest than the other. I mainly compare it to Patch as the two lead gentlemen in this film have a terminal illness and they try to cope with it and do so in a humorous way at times. They are thankfully spared someone who is perfectly fine telling jokes and making light of the situation. The film is about two terminally ill guys who are in a hospital in I believe London. One is an American and the other does seem to be a resident of London. At first the American is kind of down in the dumps, but the other guy named Bancroft and played by Dalton tries to get him to loosen up. At one point he even wheels him onto the roof of the building. They both finally get out of the hospitals clutches and proceed to live life to the fullest with the little time they have left. On the way to their final destination, a brothel in Amsterdam, they come across two ladies whom they attach to and the four begin to have fun. Unfortunately, the American's illness does seem to be taking hold of him fast and so there is not the happiest of endings to this one. However, it is not all that sad either.

"Hawks" is a film that's not for everybody. While I can appreciate some humor in a story of terminally-ill people grappling with life, I can also understand that there may be many to whom this film won't be appealing. I have known two people who have lost spouses to rare or uncommon diseases and at least half a dozen families that have suffered the loss of a young member due to cancer. While the family members all recover over time, very few, if any, would find anything funny in movies of this nature. The same might be said for close friends and associates of those families and the loved ones they lose.

And, there may be any number of others who can't enjoy humor in movies about people who are dying. Cancer alone, with its many types, has touched more lives even than all the wars since the Mid-20th century. It's doubtful that there could be anyone alive today who doesn't know someone who has had cancer, who has died from cancer, or who has a family member that has cancer. Understandably, many more people may not find this type of film of interest.

The terminal illness of the two male leads is what makes for the dark humor in "Hawks." This is not rollicking comedy but a gentle humor that can bring smiles to faces. It's a warmth in the face of cold and the hard reality of imminent death. Often times, in real life if not in the movies about such stories, a religious or faith aspect works with the humor. That's absent in this film. But what it does have is a clear, confirmation and conviction of the great glory of life, and how precious it is in living it for the present. This is a respect for the beauty of all creation and dignity of the human race - of each human being, of each person.

That is the most obvious theme of the character of Bancroft, which Timothy Dalton plays to perfection. I'm surprised he didn't receive nominations for his performance from Hollywood, the foreign press or the British film industry. Anthony Edwards does very well in his roll as Deckermensky, and Janet McTeer and Camille Coduri are very good as the two girls they befriend. The one weakness in the screenplay is the sudden change of character of Anthony Edwards. He is in the doldrums in several short scenes, one after another in the opening, and then, all of sudden he's highly animated and lively. The film needed to either tone down his doldrums or make his transition a little slower and more believable.

This is a very good movie with a simple plot. But one that develops into a story that is much more interesting than the opening intimates. It has a surprise ending, but some may guess it - as I did, before the last scenes reveal it. If one isn't put off by stories or matter surrounding death, disease or handicaps, this film may be quite enjoyable for the spark of life it celebrates. It is definitely for mature adults.

I was not expecting this movie to be much. Being a T. Dalton fan I was looking for something to watch via Netflix. Started out kinda slow but soon there was some very good character development and a very real slant on what it could be like to be terminal. Then the relationships of the two terminally sick men came into play and it got more and more interesting. Yes, it was sad, but this is life sadness and happiness. The sad reality is that some people do not want to be bothered with disease or they think they could catch it and consequently abandon their sick family and friends. This is a horrible way to deal with sickness and eventually what goes around comes around but this should not be why a person shows compassion. Fear is awful when it hurts people who you care about. The most important thing you can do in your life is help other people. I really liked the movie and will recommend it to friends.

This film has always stuck in my mind as the one that moves me like no other. I've had it on vhs taped off the telly for 14 years now, and when I need a good cry it's always the one I turn to. After recently losing a close relative to cancer, I am now aware of how important it is to laugh and be positive in the face of adversity. A real gem, with incredible performances from the cast, especially Timothy Dalton who is fantastic. This is also a chance to see the fabulous Janet McTeer in a very early role. See it now! (If you can find it that is!)

Based on an idea from one of the BeeGees. Timothy "007" Dalton, Anthony "ER" Edwards, and Janet "Giraffe" McTeer, et al, naturally. Hawks (1988) is a comedy about two guys with terminal illness who decide to leave hospital and make the most of whatever time is left. Edwards plays a former football player who can no longer walk, and Dalton an annoyingly ebullient former solicitor who urges him not to give in but instead to embrace his last days wholeheartedly. In a separate story, which will join up, McTeer plays a clumsy, strapping young woman, pregnant from a brief relationship, who decides to try and find the man who did it. She and her sister run into the AWOL inmates and a group road trip is in the offing.

The movie is endearingly unexpected, and perhaps a little uneven in its content and tone. It takes ages for Edwards to even say anything. Dalton's illness hardly manifests itself at all, which is a bit odd. I did really buy either the first scene in the car or the final scene in the church. I don't think Hawks could be made today. For one thing everyone is into overblown superhero nonsense nowadays, and for another everyone is into what Joe Rogan called 'recreational outrage', and Hawks has plenty to denounce for the churlishly minded. It is in a unique way life-affirming and has characters who genuinely want to empathise with one another, so as such I find it rewarding. Maybe you will too?

It never made it to DVD but you can find it on Youtube.

The phrase "laughing through your tears" must have been invented for this little jewel of a movie. Yes, there are scenes that I would have preferred they omit (mainly the brothel scene-- oh brother). But the overriding emotion in the performances of both Dalton and Edwards is riveting. And Dalton CAN play comedy. Don't play this for the monthly meeting of the AARP; but if hope and love mean anything to you, take a couple of hours and watch it. It can be life-changing.

I wasn't sure I was up to watching this movie knowing the subject matter. I was at the bedside of two of my closest women friends when they died of cancer. Well, I can truly say I found this movie uplifting, inspiring, and joyful. Timothy Dalton (Bancroft) and Anthony Edwards (Deck) are wonderful in their respective roles of the two cancer patients who decide to enjoy themselves while they still can. I enjoyed the developing friendship of the men and their relationships with the women Hazel and Maureen who they meet in Holland. Camille Coduri and Janet McTeer are believable in these strong women roles. Mr. Dalton deserves praise for his courage in taking on such an off-beat role. His performance in this heart-warming movie shows once again his versatility and talent as an actor as well as his devotion to his craft. It has been a long time since I have laughed and cried so hard in a movie.

A pair of happy-go-lucky terminal cancer patients decide to go out with a bang (pun intended) by stealing an ambulance and making an unauthorized pilgrimage to the Amsterdam red-light meat markets, where they connect with two women more than willing to be regarded solely as sex toys. The whole sorry mess resembles the wet dream of a dying screenwriter (with second thoughts, naturally, at the moment of truth); certainly the desperate show of good spirits by Timothy Dalton (exercising his license to ham) is only a slight improvement over flatulence jokes made at the expense of a brain-dead human cabbage. All the usual buddy-film clichés are supplemented by a mixture of cloying sentiment, annoying self-pity, low humor, and high hormones; a few cold showers would have been equally as life embracing. But let's not be too critical: there are, at least, some pleasantly scenic shots of windmills and tulips to help pass the time.

Deck (Anthony Edwards) appears onscreen first as prospective purchaser of a sweet-featured, warm red & all decked-out Saab: "sleek, fine, and fast!" Then after the rather traumatizing experience of the test drive, the persistent salesman tells him that the warranty's 5 years- "I'll take that," he says. And- That, with utter conviction.

What a great opening to set the tone for this wonderful sleeper of a movie - which stars Timothy Dalton, Edwards, Janet McTeer, and Camille Codori. This film has all the essential elements touching the heart: attractive & sympathetic leads - humor - poignancy - and the encompass of existence, light & the dark of it.

Dalton never ceases to amaze me with the scope and range of his performances. He's deftly captured King Philip of France, Henry Darnley, Hamlet, Hotspur, Antony, Heathcliff, Rochester, James Bond, and others. He actually had the audacity to make this movie in between his two Bond films! He packs a powerful punch here as the very flawed but endearing Bancroft: a highly intelligent man on a relentless quest for fun in spite (or, is it because of?) the bleak prognosis of his life.

His partner in crime is Deck - an American being treated for the same affliction in the Charing Cross, London hospital. Despite their conflicts, their health, militant nursing sisters, and all constraints with the English law regarding ambulances, together they depart for a momentous trek across the channel to Amsterdam.

There, they meet Hazel and Maureen - two best friends from London on their own trek: that, to reunite Hazel with the father of the baby she's pregnant with.

Bancroft and Deck had gone to Amsterdam in quest of a brothel - the girls in quest of a balding Hollander. What they all find instead is something completely different. They come to find a somewhat quirky enlightenment, each in their own individual way.

I highly recommend this little treasure of a movie - best watched snuggled on lots of pillows, under a warm down comforter, and with a glass of well-bodied wine.

I could understand what the main characters were going through. When I saw the movie, I was 5 years free of Terminal ill Stage4 Hodgkin's Cancer. I was told I would not make it to my 30th birthday. I am now 42. I had many the same feelings and attitude of the main characters in the movie. I think it is an excellent movie.

It's hard to say much. The film is drama and a comedy in one. It's very moving but it's also very funny. I believe that it's not that easy to make that kind of film. It proves that Robert Ellis Miller is one of the best directors ever. Both of the main actors - Timothy Dalton and Anthony Edwards should get Oscars for the roles. PEOPLE YOU MUST SEE "HAWKS" !!!

a simple story of life......

this is one of the most sensitive and funny films i have ever ever seen, to meet and realise your mortality is something we never do until its too late, Hawks well with superb acting from Messrs Dalton and Edwards makes you (well made me) realise how fragile and how little we live our lives, whilst going through a situation with a friend at the moment i have re-watched this film, to realise one that Mortality is not something to be afraid of, but also to realise that in my darkest times - A big red nose will always make me smile.

so join the order of the HAWKS - I guarantee you wont regret it !!!

Profound film which deserves to be far wider known and is fondly remembered by all who have seen it. Ok it was remade to much greater affect by Til Schweiger as 'Knocking on heaven's Door' (1997) but this is still a meritorious effort deserving of praise. This is a trying theme and many will feel the subject does not provide suitable entertainment. I think the cinema is one of the most poignant and appropiate places to discuss and elaborate on such weighty matters as it succeeds in elevating the mundane and overtly pessimistic where other media fail. In cinema everything is possible, good, bad or indifferent. A draining experience yes, but a life affirming one.

Acting is great their performances are believable. why there is no DVD available is unknow by this reviewer.

If you looking for a feel good movie of the year, well of 1988 that is, heh heh, then look no further than Hawks. This movie is inspired by a true story. The movie has all the important components required for a good story, the actors too have done a commendable job and there is this elevating drama but the audience may hardly feel anything great about the film.

It seems the directors have missed out on something to leave viewer feel good in spite of so many good factors of the movie.

The story is all about (as the name suggests) by a couple a Hawks!, which are played by Timothy Dalton (Bancroft) and Anthony Edwards (Decker). Janet McTeer (Hazel) is a columnist writing about the Hawks in their natural environment and she dedicates her column to Bancroft and Decker and builds a rapport with them. Bancroft shoots up to fame and glory with Hazel's write-up. And due to Bancroft's mental ailment Hazel is de-motivated to write further. But Bancroft continues to soar high in the sky.

The mental sickness of Bancroft is depicted rather unconvincingly and probably the director was not quite sure of portraying this aspect in a rationale way. Bancroft's character is fluctuating and promiscuous but you may wonder how a good drama can be successful with such a loose element and this leads to a point when even Hazel's patience level is tested.

It is difficult to criticise the performance by Dalton who is portrayed to be jittery, perturbed and most likely he seems to be a schizophrenic. Dalton surely expected an award-winning performance but he is badly let down by the director and the screenwriter of the film and they fail to make a serious and sensitive film on Hawks and their environment. The movie has lost track in between these two aspects.

Still its quite a good watch.

Its one of those film ALA Nicholson's and Freeman's Bucket List where they go and around to see what can happen with the remaining time they had. This one works in a way since it does not really put too much emphasis on the situation BUT and try to make an aww moment to their clear predicament.

Its also less Hollywood. They are still human and are bounded by their humanly presence. They are not suddenly above every logical concepts nor their escapades seems to escapism.

Wonderful central performance from Tim Dalton (of Bond fame) and Anthony Edwards (Rooster in Top Gun). They played well together. Pitch Perfect story from Roy Clarke's only foray to film. The plot with the girls where wonderfully executed.

Here's one of those special rare films, which makes you consider your possibilities, if an ailing patient. Interesting duo, flamboyant Dalton, and his young prodige, neurotic Edwards, a much sicker party meet in the dull depressing interiors of a teriminal ward, with the not so understanding of staff. They finally decide to take off, and it's not like they're imprisoned. This quickly forming friendship, sees our two, seeking some sexual adventures, where a foursome develops, Dalton's ex, earlier, not really wanting anything to do with him. They're are highs and lows in Hawks, but that's the reality of the sick and dying, Edwards firey vehicular entrance, at the start, makes a nice cool opening, where I recollected a scene in another movie. There are wonderful performances, but Dalton is the life of the film, taking his character to the hilt, and enjoying the hell out of it. Really admired the beautiful surprise ending, a slick move. Highly reccommended drama comedy from the get go, Dalton making it memorable.