Toronto review: Aitch Alberto’s directorial debut “Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe”

Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe, written and directed by Aich Alberto, is a film about two Mexican boys who discover deep secrets within themselves during a school year. The film is an adaptation of the YA novel of the same name by Benjamin Alire Saenz.

Aristóteles “Ari” Mendoza (Max Pelayo) opens the film by introducing the audience to his family and his life as a high school student. He doesn’t mind being one of the cool guys and wants something more than provincial life in 1985’s New Mexico. A chance encounter with Dante (Reese Gonzalez), a young man Ari meets at a local pool, leads to an intense bond between They. Aristotle’s father, Jamie (Eugenio Derbez), looks around the house with melancholy, bringing him closer to his mother Liliana (Veronica Falconi). He takes care of his family while his estranged older brother is serving a harsh prison sentence.

Both boys have identity issues, but Dante is the braver of the two and is willing to express his feelings on these issues. Doubled by the fact that her race of hers is always in question because her father of her Sam (Kevin Alejandro) is white and her mother Soledad (Eva Longoria) is Mexican, she feels she is not good enough for anyone. Despite their differences, Aristotle and Dante develop a friendship that transcends this earthly plane and opens the door to a world of information about them and the world around them.

Aristotle and Dante He asks his audience tough existential questions about life, identity, loyalty, justice and how these principles relate to Mexican culture. Alberto breaks new ground as the film explores an anxious and blocked queer trope. However, it’s a relief to see parents in the movies who clearly don’t hate their kids because they’re different. It might not be realistic, but it’s nice to have this kind of representation coming from the Latin community.

People can bring out the best or the worst in each other, but a good friendship is transformative. Feeling that level of comfort and kindness from someone you trust can lead to sincere honesty in what these two young people do for each other. They experience the ups and downs and the rocks of their individual journeys, but because their bond is so strong, these two still manage to get past the middle. Alberto’s story is less about coming out and more about defending your truth, whatever it is. If you’re queer, be proud of it no matter what the haters think. Your friends will always support you and pick you up when you have an ounce of doubt.