Hanekedepictstheemotionalstoryofanadulterousrelationshipbetweenajournalistandateacher.Thefilmpoignantlyexploresthedifficultdynamicsbetweenpeoplewholoveoneanotherbutstillcantkeepfromhurtingoneanother.VariationhasbeendescribedbyitsdirectorasbeingclosertoJohnCassavetesthantoHollywoodmelodrama.