MovieChat Forums > Hawaii (2013) Discussion > Pineapple

Pineapple

posted 11 years ago by thoremann
8 replies | jump to latest

Let me start by saying that this film really nailed the romantic fix that i was looking for. Subtle but meaningful acting by two beautiful and charismatic actors plus simple yet heartwarming moments makes this movie standout and is definitely one of 2013's best gay themed movie. I wonder why this movie is not getting enough attention by the media. Now i want to know if (SPOILER ALERT) what does the pineapple mean? So the title was hawaii because of the pineapples that Martin was talking about. Eugenio blocked out most of what Martin said and only heard pineapple. And what does the microfilm had to do with it? I think the blocked out story by Martin has to do with that. Oh well, i guess i have to watch multiple times and i dont mind that at all

[–] charlidos 11 years ago

This is what I wonder too! I love Hawaii and HAVE watched it several times but I still can't quite figure out what those pineapples represent.

But my best guess would be that Hawaii (and those slides with, amongst other Hawaii images, pineapples) represents a very idyllic, happy memory from their shared childhood. What that memory is, beyond those images, I have no clue. And maybe it doesn't matter, because it's the memory of a very happy moment they shared as children that's important. Perhaps because it means that their current different situation in life isn't as important as their shared affection for one another.

Anyway, a beautiful, lovely, romantic film. :)

[–] thoremann 11 years ago

Hey there. Yup that was also my guess. Upon watching it again I think it's got something to do with a moment they shared when they were kids. The way he told the story tells me that, even though we can't hear it, it was something so happy and memorable because we can see that it was the first time he let his guard down after a swim and taking off the goggles and I think that's when he probably remembered when Eugenio let Martin see pictures of Hawaii through the view-master and the last image he saw there were the two pineapples.

I watched Marco Berger's other movies and found out that the view-master was a common element in his movies and I find this very amusing as it evokes a feeling of nostalgia, like remembering the time when me and my childhood friend had such a pure and innocent connection.

Now after saying these things I realized that I love this movie even more now!

Have a great day!

[–] charlidos 11 years ago

I wonder if there is a clue in the view-master itself: in Plan B, Bruno says he's a view-master because 'for people to understand you, they have to look through your eyes'.

Maybe that's what happened here, Eugenio could finally see the situation from Martín's perspective - 'through his eyes'. So maybe the slides themselves aren't what's important, but the what they're viewed with? Enabling Eugenio to look at Martín in a different light, a different perspective.

It's a theory, at least...

[–] ricoliv 10 years ago

I think you've nailed it. The two men have a shared childhood, which is revealed in bits and pieces throughout the film. Even the more sordid memories (e.g., the cat they stoned to death) elicit smiles of recognition of experiences shared. So when Eugenio finally connects the dots as to what Martin was referring to in an earlier ecollection of two pineapples, he remembers the Viewmaster and the Hawaii reel, with its image of two pineapples growing in a tree-- rather like Martin and Eugenio themselves. After all that has passed between them-- and especially the rejection of affection which has driven Martin away, Eugenio uses the Viewmaster with the pineapple frame loaded in it as a tool to let Martin know that his affection is indeed reciprocated. It is a very tender and effective plot device.

[–] quangtran65 11 years ago

thoremann, I agree with everything you said in the OP. It was a very nice and romantic film. But I've seen it twice already and never got the meaning of Hawaii or the pineapple. I was meaning to watch it again to look for the things I missed, but based on this thread it doesn't appear as if I missed anything.

[–] Gesanges 11 years ago

According to one comment I read, which I think is spot on,

The two pineapples were maturing side by side in a field with the sky behind them. They were exactly the same, they were and are equal. It’s not an accident that the very next image shows Eugenio and Martin in a field with the back lighting from the sun.

[–] thomas-mcmahon09 10 years ago

Pineapple tree's will only produce one pineapple, then will die, the pineapple in the picture shows a tree growing two which is very special. I believe Martin was just talking about the slides, and happens to mention the two pineapples.

Eugenio then remembers Martins comment on the two pineapples, Symbolic in the fact that it is rare to see two pineapples growing on the same tree, a couple, growing together side by side.

These two guys grew together when they were younger, both remembering parts of their youth, while spending more and more time with each other, e.g Cat Stoning, Shooting, Swimming etc. They then happen to be reunited, By the death of Martins Grandmother, and the fact he had nowhere to stay, and Eugenio, although not owning the house, was there at the same time as Martin house sitting. A reunion by chance, a rare event. So i think Eugenio realizes that, like the pineapples, this is a special pairing.

[–] Jrayyy (1) 2 years ago

I would like to add to your fine words by saying that this movie is a very classy and wholesome depiction of such a controversial lifestyle that both actors are portraying individually one is gay and the other is homeless without using stereotypes as well as explicit sexual content! There should be more movies like Hawaii. I'm guessing that one pineapple plus one pineapple equals two guys that fell in love, love is Hawaii or better yet Paradise!