Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe *** (2023, Max Pelayo, Reese Gonzales, Verónica Falcón, Kevin Alejandro, Eva Longoria, Eugenio Derbez) – Classic Movie Review 13,032

The sweet, warm and tender 2023 gay coming-of-age romantic drama film Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe centres on the developing friendship between two teenage Mexican-American loners in 1987 El Paso, Texas.

Based on Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s 2012 young adult novel, writer/ director Aitch Alberto’s sweet, warm and tender 2023 gay coming-of-age romantic drama film Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe centres on the developing friendship between two teenage Mexican-American loners in 1987 El Paso, Texas.

Well, they aren’t going to be alone for long. The two good-looking boys find an instant connection and go on to explore their new, unusual friendship and follow the rocky road to self-discovery. The two boys are made for each other, and, this time, friendship just won’t do. Ari saves Dante’s life, and there’s no way back from that moment.

It stars Max Pelayo and Reese Gonzales as the title characters. Verónica Falcón, Kevin Alejandro, Eva Longoria and Eugenio Derbez complete the rest of the cast.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is very sweet, nice, well handled, and cutely acted. Perhaps it is too romantic, maybe it is a little improbable, but it certainly makes us want to believe it. It says all the right things, and says them strongly and firmly, though politely, gently and warmly. There’s no rage, just conviction. Ari gets angry, violent even, but only to exact vengeance on Dante’s homophobic attacker. Ari has some hate inside him, but mostly he has like and love. It’s good that it has some edgier moments. It needs them. But mostly it has heart. It is a fine romance.

It is made with great loving care by Aitch Alberto in an obvious labour of love. It is very attractively and imaginatively shot by cinematographer Akis Konstantakopoulos. Max Pelayo and Reese Gonzales couldn’t be more ideal. It all hinges on them really. Eva Longoria and Eugenio Derbez are striking as Ari’s sympathetic parents, Soledad and Jaime Quintana.

It was shot from early October 2021 to 2 November 2021.

The cast are Max Pelayo as Aristotle ‘Ari’ Mendoza, Reese Gonzales as Dante Quintana, Eugenio Derbez as Jaime Mendoza, Eva Longoria as Soledad Quintana, Verónica Falcón as Liliana Mendoza, Isabella Gomez as Gina Navarro, Luna Blaise as Elena Tellez, Kevin Alejandro as Sam Quintana, and Marlene Forte as Tía Ophelia.

Aristotle and Dante premiered at the 47th International Toronto Film Festival on September 9, 2022 and was released in US cinemas on September 8, 2023, by Blue Fox Entertainment, then on digital on November 14, 2023.

Benjamin Alire Sáenz (born August 16, 1954) is an American poet, novelist, and writer of children’s books. After 15 years of marriage to his wife, an El Paso family court judge, he came out as gay, and they filed for divorce in 2009. There is a sequel book: Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World (Simon & Schuster, 2021). He lives and works in El Paso, Texas, the setting of the film.

© Derek Winnert 2024 – Classic Movie Review 13,032

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