Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe, which had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2022, is more than a queer coming-of-age drama. It is a wonderful exploration of cultural identity and generational trauma. The story is raw and sickly sweet as it undresses two Mexican-American teenage boys to the bone, exposing them to themselves, each other and the harsh world around them.
Based on a 2012 bestseller by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, the film is directed and adapted by newcomer Aitch Alberto, who leads faithfully with careful thought and intention. Viewers first meet Aristotle Mendoza (Max Pelayo) and Dante Quintana (Reese Gonzales) in a community pool in the summer of 1987. The year should raise some red flags for those familiar with queer history, as it was a period of social unrest and radical AIDS activism.
The duo bond with their philosophy-inspired names, and Dante offers to teach a struggling Aristotle to swim. The two, although an instant match, are polar opposites. Aristotle travels through life in silence, carrying fiery anger, while Dante is a whirlwind of emotions and words. He walks around barefoot, reads poems out loud and says things like, “I love my parents.”
Their bond is strengthened by events that would be considered meandering if Aristotle and Dante weren’t such intriguing characters. Aristotle is a loner and has a stilted relationship with his father and a distant relationship with his mother, both attributed in part to his older brother being in prison for a serious crime. But instead of portraying the adults as the bad guys, they show their love the only way they know. Mrs. Mendoza constantly offers her son kind words and hot meals, and the patriarch offers longing glances and light touches. Dante picks up on this when Aristotle begins to open up to him and encourages the other teen to remember that his parents are just people. Imperfect? Sure, but that’s all people.
Dante appears to have a positive influence on Aristotle. He shuffles through Mendoza’s household, bringing real gifts such as an art book from his parents (who work in education and psychology), and invites Aristotle to join him while he cleans up his room and join him on a family trip to become a star. – staring into the desert. They soon become good friends. Since the film (and novel) is told entirely from Aristotle’s point of view, the quieter one is known to not have many friends, if at all, for Dante, and while Dante is a more outgoing and maternal personality, he rarely mentions the other people he hangs out with, insinuating that he could be just as lonely as the other boy.
A key is immediately thrown into their dreamlike summer of friendship when Dante announces that his family is going to Chicago for a year. Aristotle tries to play it cool, reminding Dante that there is a vibrant art scene and a new, exciting culture to explore. The rest of the film flies by, there’s a reunion, a car accident, a few misguided romances, an argument (amplified for the big screen), and a heartbreaking crime, all tied to an ending that will leave viewers as they are. , have discovered the secrets of the universe.
Speaking to Alberto, she revealed that more than an hour of the film was left on the cutting floor (which is often the case with independent films), but fans of the book will be pleased to know that all the best is out there. is, along with a few creative liberties that enrich the story rather than detract from it. Alberto fearlessly demonstrates her dedication to her craft through her feature film debut, which delivers moments of silence and stillness, and cinematic shots of the environment, located on the border of Mexico and the United States, which also plays a central role in Sáenz’s writing. .
Pelayo and Gonzales put on serious performances that flawlessly portray the multifaceted problems both boys face. Pelayo fully embodies Aristotle, quietly hiding his anger behind clenched fists and hunched shoulders, which seem to relax only in the arms of his loved ones or in the presence of Dante. Carrying Dante’s gentle disposition, Gonzales manages to maintain his character’s 15-year-old nature while speaking in lyrical prose and idiosyncrasy.
The film is a pure reminder of what it’s like to be young and in love, and how hard it is to be a teenager. It has lessons for all ages and although soft in nature, it dives headfirst into the drama, giving way to an emotional and invigorating tone shift in the final act. The diverse cast and crew respect the source material and understand the unique voice of Sáenz’s writing. Super fans, look out for a gracious Easter egg, because 2013 producer and audiobook reader Lin-Manuel Miranda is making a sneaky impression.
Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe currently seeking distribution.
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