ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF
THE UNIVERSE
Review by Marinell Haegelin
Writer-director Aitch Alberto ’ s interpretation of American author Benjamin Alire Sáenz ’ s adolescent coming-ofage novel is sweet , its characters endearing , and is an unobtrusive reminder about not prejudging others . Alberto wisely focuses on its crux , the experiences of families with Mexican heritage living in a Texas town bordering Mexico : sex and race , plus the cost of playing by different rules , and the rewards of mutually supportive relationships .
© CAPELIGHT PICTURES
ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE
ARISTOTELES UND DANTE ENTDECKEN DIE GEHEIMNISSE DES UNIVERSUMS
USA 2022 OPENING FEBRUARY 8 , 2024
DIRECTED BY : AITCH ALBERTO
WRITING CREDITS : AITCH ALBERTO , BENJAMIN ALIRE SÁENZ
PRINCIPAL ACTORS : MAX PELAYO , REESE GONZALES , VERÓNICA FALCÓN , EUGENIO DERBEZ , KEVIN ALEJANDRO , EVA LONGORIA
Summer 1987 , El Paso , Texas : It is hot as Hades as Ari flaps around in the local pool . He prides himself on blending in better by being aloof with people , although concurrently he wishes he could relate to others ; he and his parents have talked about what happened to older brother Bernardo , and that he could swim . Ari is one angry fifteen-year-old . Then Dante swims over ; Dante swims like a fish , is curious about life and the constellations above their heads , is artistic , likes poetry and is a spirit so free he beguiles the staid Ari . They bond over their names : Dante Quintana ( Reese Gonzales ) meet Aristotle Mendoza ( Max Pelayo ), “…[ P ] eople call me Ari .”
Ari stiffly introduces Dante to his parents , Jaime ( Eugenio Derbez ) and Soledad ( Verónica Falcón ), who are caught off-guard by Dante ’ s oppositeness to their son . Sam ( Kevin Alejandro ) is surprised when Ari declines his offer to call him by his first name . “ Maybe this guy can learn something from you ,” Sam quips about Dante . Seeing the differences in their rooms speak volumes . The summer oozes into August as their friendship flourishes ; Ari jokes with Soledad ( Eva Longoria ) about having two moms taking care of them . He is stoic when Dante explains they will be gone for a year . They write , they undergo changes ; Ari keeps swimming . Tia Ophelia ( Marlene Forte ), who likes Dante , strokes Ari ’ s confidence . His parents surprise him with a coming-of-age birthday present ; “ Legs ” follows him home and stays . Dante tells Aristotle , “ Someday , I ’ m going to discover all the secrets of the universe .” When Dante returns and wants to try something out , why not with best friend Ari ? Even though it greatly tests their friendship .
Alberto demonstrates a shrewd sensibility portraying Mexican-American ethnic tensions , exaggerated machismo / gender issues , and their impact through humor ,
50 HAMBURG HAPPENINGS