El Paso, Texas, summer 1987. The long hot summer is endless for Mexican-American Aristotle (an excellent Max Pelayo), a handsome but awkward fifteen-year-old loner with no real interests. He keeps himself to himself and feels very different from his fellow classmates, not having any interest in the things they are inspired by. Homelife is ok, he’s close to his mum but communication with his father, also a man of few words, is sporadic. His brother is serving a long sentence in prison but he doesn’t know why and his brother is never mentioned by his parents. The family is somewhat trapped by silence and Aristotle doesn’t want to live like this.
One day, at his local swimming pool, despairing at his continued inability to swim, he meets fellow Mexican-American Dante (Reece Gonzalez), who’s the same age, and offers to teach him to swim. The two boys soon become very close friends. Barefoot, artistic Dante’s confidence and outgoing personality are a sharp contrast to Aristotle’s angst and awkwardness. Dante teaches Aristotle (Ari) to swim and they hang out at each other’s houses – Dante’s welcoming, outgoing, creative middle-class parents (Eva Longoria and Kevin Alejandro) are very different from Ari’s quiet working-class folks (Veronica Falcon and the brilliant Eugenio Derbez).
The summer draws to a close and Dante informs Ari that he’s moving to Chicago with his family until the following summer for his father’s job. Ari’s confidence has increased and he takes this in his stride, despite a traumatic incident that happens before Dante leaves town. They spend their year apart writing heartfelt letters to each other. During the year Ari has a romantic relationship with a girl from his school, gets a job at a burger restaurant, and learns to drive his sixteenth birthday present from his parents, a 1957 Chevy pickup.
The year passes by and Dante returns to El Paso for the summer of 1988. Both young men have matured and changed somewhat but they quickly rekindle their friendship. What follows is an eventful journey as the two men ascertain their truth and what’s important in life.
Aristotle and Dante Discover The Secrets of The Universe is a beautiful, multi-layered coming-of-age tale. Based on the popular book by Benjamin Alire Saenz, writer, and director Aitch Alberto successfully combines interesting sub-plot after sub-plot without detracting from the main story of the film. Despite some tough themes including familial secrets, queer-bashing, violence, transphobia, confusion over identity, unrequited love and loneliness, this is ultimately a feel-good film. Strong performances by all the cast are accompanied by beautiful cinematography – from vintage 1980s interiors to expansive Texas landscapes. The excellent soundtrack includes 80s masterpieces from the likes of Bananarama, Bronski Beat, The Psychedelic Furs, and Shannon amongst others.
The film is dedicated to All Of Us Who’ve Had To Learn To Play By Different Rules.
Don’t miss this gem.
PS It is scheduled to be theatrically released in the United States on September 8, 2023, by Blue Fox Entertainment.Queerguru’s Contributing Editor Ris Fatah is a successful fashion/luxury business consultant (when he can be bothered) who divides and wastes his time between London and Ibiza. He is a lover of all things queer, feminist, and human rights in general. @ris.fatah
Labels: 2023, Aitch Alberto, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, Benjamin Alire Saenz, coming of age, Max Pelayo, review, Ris Fatah
