Under the Hula Moon

Under the Hula Moon

Year: 1995

Runtime: 94 mins

Language: English

Director: Jeff Celentano

ComedyAction

In the Arizona desert near Cactus Gulch, Buzzard and Betty Wall live in a trailer; she hopes for a baby while he tries to launch “Cammo,” a sunblock, but lacks funding. His half‑brother Turkey, an escaped convict, kidnaps Betty, steals their $10,000 lottery win and flees to Mexico. Maya, Buzz’s ex, frees him and they chase Turkey to rescue Betty.

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Timeline & Setting – Under the Hula Moon (1995)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Under the Hula Moon (1995). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1990s

The events take place in a contemporary 1990s setting, with roadside magazines, basic video cameras, and a DIY business dream. The era’s modest technology and slow-news-cycle pace anchor the story, grounding the fantasy elements in a recognizable time. Character ambitions and the news-driven plotline reflect the period’s culture of quirky inventors and local ambitions.

Location

Cactus Gulch, Arizona

The story unfolds in the desert outskirts of Cactus Gulch, Arizona, centered on a trailer-dwelling couple and their sun-soaked surroundings. The harsh heat, wide-open spaces, and dusty roads define everyday life and the couple's dream-chasing dynamic. The desert setting acts as both a mood and a physical obstacle, shaping the pace of the road trip and encounters with danger. The area is a stark backdrop for ambition, chance meetings, and sudden violence.

🌵 Desert landscape 🏜 Desert town

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:12

Main Characters – Under the Hula Moon (1995)

Meet the key characters of Under the Hula Moon (1995), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Buzzard 'Buzz' Wall (Stephen Baldwin)

An eccentric, risk-taking dreamer who believes a DIY invention can change his life. He is brave yet susceptible to temptation, and his journey is propelled by a mix of optimism, stubbornness, and a belief in a strange destiny revealed by a ghostly vision. His growth comes from learning to balance ambition with restraint, especially when confronting Turk’s threats.

🎯 Dreamer 🧭 Adventurous 🛠️ Inventor

Betty Wall (Emily Lloyd)

Buzz’s wife, a hopeful, loyal partner who dreams of a lottery windfall and starting a family. She remains resilient under pressure, ultimately playing a key role in the rescue by supporting the plan and accepting a new life with optimism.

💃 Optimist 🤝 Loyal 🎯 Dreamer

Turk Dickson (Chris Penn)

Buzz’s deranged half-brother and an unpredictable threat who escapes prison to seize money during a violent confrontation. He is cunning, violent, and willing to manipulate others to his advantage, driving the film’s tension and action.

🗡️ Villain 💥 Dangerous 🧭 Unstable

Maya Gundinger (Musetta Vander)

A small-town news reporter with big ambitions who sees through lies and uses her camera to tell the story. She becomes Buzz’s ally, filming the journey and pushing him toward courage, while also managing the risky balance between documentary instinct and personal safety.

🎤 Journalist 🗞️ Reporter 🎯 Determined

King (Ray Bumatai)

The spirit of King Kamehameha who appears to Buzz and guides him toward a higher, non-violent destiny. His otherworldly presence frames the quest as a rite of passage, blending myth with a road-modulated rescue mission.

👻 Spirit 🗝️ Guide 🌺 Cultural presence

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:12

Major Themes – Under the Hula Moon (1995)

Explore the central themes of Under the Hula Moon (1995), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌟 Dreams

A central thread follows Buzz’s obsession with financial success and a brighter future, embodied by his Cammo sunscreen invention. The film uses the desert road trip as a metaphor for ambition, testing whether dreams can survive temptation, danger, and self-doubt. The guiding spirit of Kamehameha hints that destiny requires integrity and restraint as much as courage.

🗺️ Journey

The narrative is a road-movie ascent from a fragile trailer life to a quest to rescue Betty, with Maya’s filming turning the journey into a documentary of risk and resolve. Friendships form under pressure, and every mile forward tightens the bond among Buzz, Maya, and Betty. The road trip exposes choices, consequences, and the value of perseverance.

⚖️ Consequences

Turk’s kidnapping and the ensuing chaos bring moral risk into focus, forcing Buzz to weigh violence against mercy. The spirit’s intervention prevents a collapse into brutality, underscoring a message that power must be wielded with restraint. The discovery of the DEA base marks a shift from personal rescue to larger, systemic accountability.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:12

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Under the Hula Moon Summary

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Under the Hula Moon Summary

Under the Hula Moon Timeline

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Under the Hula Moon Timeline

Under the Hula Moon Spoiler-Free Summary

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Under the Hula Moon Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Under the Hula Moon

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Under the Hula Moon (1995) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

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