ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE
US, 2023, 98 minutes, Colour.
Max Pelayo, Reese Gonzales, Veronica Falcon, Eugenio Derbez, Eva Longoria, Kevin Aleandro, Marlene Forte.
Directed by Aitch Alberto.
One of the longest titles! Intriguing, perhaps? Pretentious for others, perhaps? And bypassed audiences who are not into philosophy and literature!
This is not a venture back into the classics. We are in El Paso, Texas, 1987. Aristotle, Ari to his family and friends, is the narrator. He is 16, quite a loner, a sparse room at home, alienated from his father (Eugenio Derbez), bonding with his mother (Veronica Falcon), but better because his older brother has disappeared and his parents refuse to talk about him. He should have learned to swim but, one day at the pool, he encounters the very friendly Dante. They instantly click with each other, Dante persuading him to trust him, to float, to swim. Dante has wealthy parents, his father an academic. They are both from Mexican families.
This film is based on a Young Adult novel which proved very popular. Those in the know from the novel are aware of where the friendship is leading. Those not familiar with the novel will suspect that it is going to be coming of age, emerging awareness of sexual orientation, of relationships.
It is Dante who is really aware of his inner self, his orientation, his sensibilities, an artist, his sensitivities. Ari, on the other hand, does not relate well to many people at all, the girls at school included. But, the two enjoy their company, are welcome in each house, Dante inviting Ari to come with his parents to the beach camp, with a telescope, studying the stars in wonder, pondering the secrets of the universe.
Complications arise when Dante’s father gets a teaching job in Chicago, to be away for a year. There is a dramatic moment when Ari saves Dante’s life by pushing him away from oncoming reckless car. The screenplay then turns to letter writing, Dante very honest, inquiring, talking about kissing a girl, acknowledging his orientation. Ari is not such a good letter writer, values Dante’s letters, is at home, working in a burger joint, encountering a friendly girl who kisses him.
Then, the family arrive back for the summer break, Dante being honest, Ari reacting badly, Dante being bashed in the street, and Ari confronting his parents to discover what happened to his brother. There are happy moments for Ari, especially when his aunt visits, exuberantly praising him, but sadly dying.
There is a moving scene when Ari finally talks with his father, encouraged by his father to be himself, some hope for the future. A symbolic ending with the two boys on the back of a truck gazing at the stars, having discovered the secret of their own universe. For teenage audiences, whatever their orientation, as well as for parents to understand these questions and the effect on their children.
1. The title and expectations? The classic names? Philosophy, poetry and the universe?
2. Based on a Young Adult novel? The characters, the intended audience?
3. Texas, El Paso, the 1980s? Mexicans in El Paso, adapting to the US, Mexican traditions? Spanish language, English language? Accepted, not accepted?
4. Ari’s story, his voice-over, at 16, Mexican background, relationship with his mother, more tender, difficulties with his father, the story of his older brother and the secrecy? A loner, expressing his views, keeping to himself, at home, at school, no friends, not learning to swim, at the pool? The first encounter with Dante? Friendly, teaching how to swim, the trust, the bonding? The ability to talk with each other, share time, Dante visiting the home presenting the Mexican art book? Ari visiting Dante’s home, his parents, going on a camping trip? Accepted as part of the family?
5. Audiences knowing the gay themes and watching the developments of the characters? Audiences not knowing, intimations, development, denial, truth? Love? The secrets of the universe?
6. Dante, his academic father, the camping and the telescope, the stars, contemplating the stars? Dante’s room and its being a mess, the austerity of Ari’s room? The move to Chicago, the farewell? Dante and his letters, only not writing back so much, the issues arising, the issue of masturbation, the kissing the girl, Dante’s confession? Ari’s reaction?
7. Ari, interactions with the girls, their curiosity, sending them off? The young woman signing his cast? Meeting with the party, the kiss, his reaction?
8. On the road, the turtle, Dante, the car, Ari pushing him to safety, Dante’s injuries? Ari in hospital, chin, leg in a cast?
9. Ari’s birthday, the gift of the truck from his father, attempts to communicate with his father? Relying on his mother? His generally surly entrance into the home? Eventually asking for the truth, being overwhelmed by the truth, not being happier for knowing about the violence of his brother, his outbursts, killing the trans prostitute?
10. Ari’s return, the bond between the two, the truck, watching the horizon, talk? Dante and his wanting to talk about his orientation, the kiss, the kiss with Ari, Ari and his violent reaction? Dante, his being brutally bashed, hospital? Ari’s visit? The confrontation with the other boy, the identity of the attackers, going to Julian, the brutal outburst, the blood on him, coming home, repeating the pattern of his brother?
11. The importance of his aunt, her love for him, always praising him, enjoying his company, her death, the grief, his mother going to the home, the revelation about her being lesbian? Difficulties for the family? Ari and his acceptance? His eyes leaving him a house in her will?
12. The frank talk with his parents, with his father, their acknowledging his loving Dante, helping him to understand? The return to Dante, the kiss, acceptance?
13. The lyrical ending, fantasy, the back of the truck, floating the stars, in the middle of the secrets of the universe?
