Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe Review
“Do you ever analyze your parents?… I am crazy about mine.”
Now that’s a line you rarely hear a character say about their parents, with genuine appreciation and no sarcasm. And at a time when movies and series seem to be saturated with themes of generational trauma, “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” explores the dynamics of two contrasting families. While one family tends to bury their problems and avoid open discussion, the other embraces communication and mutual support, fostering a more transparent and nurturing environment.
Based on Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s novel of the same, “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” is directed by Aitch Alberto. Set in the 1980s in Texas, the story follows Mexican teenagers Aristotle Mendoza (Max Pelayo) and Dante Quintana (Reese Gonzales), who meet at a public swimming pool and strike a lasting friendship.
Narrated by Max Pelayo, who portrays the shy and introverted Aristotle, the film primarily delves into his perspective of the world. Aristotle, brooding and quiet yet attractive, tends to draw the attention of girls at school. On the other hand, Dante, though not conventionally handsome, exudes a fun, sweet, and artistic aura, making him effortlessly likable. A class disparity exists between the friends: while Aristotle’s family struggles financially and harbors secrets, particularly regarding his incarcerated older brother, Dante hails from a wealthy, intellectual household and his parents are a lot more open. Both boys grapple with their Mexican identity and the complexities of conforming to societal norms of masculinity.
The cinematography of “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” is beautiful, with a bright, summer palette, which breathes fresh new life into the 80s. The pool scene, where the two boys meet, is memorably shot from above, where Dante teaches Aristotle to swim, and the clear blue color of the water adds a calm, comforting mood to the scene, which is also quite symbolic of their friendship. The film is laden with such well-shot scenes, and the costume department does a fun job with Dante’s outfits – he is always in colorful shirts, which complement his cheery personality.
One hour and 38 minutes long, the movie smoothly sets up the blooming friendship between its protagonists, cemented by a sweet scene where they tie their shoes together and throw them up a cable. Whenever they pass by that road, they can see the shoes as a sign of their enduring friendship. However, since the story is narrated by Aristotle, he gets a lot more scenes, while Dante sometimes fades into the background as a supporting character. A major sub-plot/conflict in the film arises when Dante moves away for a year from El Paso, and the boys promise to remain friends. While they stay in touch through letters, discussing school, crushes, and various other things, it’s all shown from Ari’s perspective. Throughout the second half of the film, I kept wanting to see more of Dante, who is portrayed fantastically by Reese Gonzales.
The climax is poignant, with an unfortunately violent incident forcing the two boys to confront some uncomfortable truths and face their feelings for each other. It’s their parents who emerge as unlikely heroes, standing by their sons and not bowing to what others might expect of them. Perhaps, a series could’ve been able to explore the complex relationships in this tale more intricately, but even in its current form, it’s a moving movie about love, family and friendship.
You can rent the movie on Vudu, Amazon Prime Video
Read Next: One Day Review – Leads Dazzle In Exhausting Drama
Also Read: Einstein and the Bomb Review (Audio Version Below)
