Hawaii
A down-on-his-luck young man reconnects with a childhood friend, and a summer job opens the door to hesitant queer desire.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Slow
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- wistful
- restrained
- tender
- quiet evening
- romantic movie night
What critics said
Available reception is limited, but the film is broadly regarded as a tender, atmospheric, slow-burning queer romance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Martin and Eugenio's growing attraction is conveyed through sparse dialogue, physical proximity, and implied emotional tension.
Eugenio offers Martin work for the summer, creating a confined period in which friendship and desire deepen.
The protagonists reconnect as childhood friends before their relationship develops beyond friendship into romantic and sexual tension.
The film proceeds sedately, with beautiful photography, sparing dialogue, and emotion communicated indirectly.
Films like Hawaii, and why
Taekwondo
quiet queer romance, restrained dialogue, and gradual emotional intimacy
Weekend
summer setting, homoerotic tension, and understated male friendship developing into desire
Keep the Lights On
slow-burn lgbtq+ romance centered on longing, hesitation, and unspoken attraction
Movie Details
- Director
- Marco Berger
- Release Date
- 2013-04-12
- Runtime
- 106 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (107)
Cast
- Manuel Vignau
- Mateo Chiarino
- Luz Palazón
- Manuel Martínez Sobrado
- Antonia De Michelis
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Hawaii about?
- A down-on-his-luck young man reconnects with a childhood friend, and a summer job opens the door to hesitant queer desire.
- What is Hawaii like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Hawaii as slow, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Hawaii violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Hawaii.
- What did critics think of Hawaii?
- Available reception is limited, but the film is broadly regarded as a tender, atmospheric, slow-burning queer romance.
- Which films are like Hawaii?
- Films with a similar feel include Taekwondo, Weekend, and Keep the Lights On.
- How long is Hawaii?
- Hawaii runs 106 minutes.
- Where can I watch Hawaii?
- In United States, Hawaii is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
