Film and TV adaptations of LGBTQ+ love stories have been in high demand this year, with projects like Red, White, and Royal Blue and Heartstopper garnering massive fanfare. Amid the set photos and cast announcements, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, yet another queer coming-of-age film, is ready to break gay hearts all over the world.
The first trailer for Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe dropped yesterday. A heart-breaking portrayal of young love, the film is sure to share the same success as the young adult novel it is based on.
The novel of the same name, written by gay author Benjamin Alire Saenz, hit shelves in 2012. The story follows two Mexican-American teenagers, Aristotle and Dante, as they blur the lines between friendship and romance in 1980s El Paso, Texas.
Max Pelayo stars in the titular role of Aristotle Mendoza, an isolated 15-year-old whose life changes drastically over the course of a summer-long romance with the free-spirited Dante Quintana, played by Reese Gonzales. Eva Longoria will also star in the film playing Dante’s mother, Soledad Quintana.
Aitch Alberto makes her directorial debut on the film produced by Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda alongside his company, 5000 Broadway Productions. Miranda similarly narrated the audiobook version of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe and joined the film project at the request of the author himself.
i’m crying #AristotleandDante pic.twitter.com/Dx9rSrr7No
— ėrick (@wonderxboy) June 28, 2023
In the film’s first trailer, Ari and Dante can be seen becoming fast friends as they meet one another’s families and chase each other through the rain. But things take a heart-breaking turn when Aristotle realizes that he has to move away from El Paso for a year.
According to a release that accompanied the trailer, Dante transforms Aristotle’s life and worldview by introducing him to “music, poetry, and lessons about the sky”. Dante similarly breaks down Ari’s “facade of isolation that protected him for so long.” All of these advancements are challenged, however, when the two start to develop romantic feelings for one another.
Fans can likely expect a second trailer ahead of the film’s release date, September 8, but in the meantime fans of the book and the upcoming film alike have been raving about the trailer on social media.
not apologizing for the person i’ll become when i finally get to see aristotle and dante on my screen pic.twitter.com/98Tx0pYaRS
— mir (@gvnsthetic) April 18, 2023
“This movie is going to be spectacular, I can already tell,” one fan wrote. “I think Reese and Max stole the show. They brought Ari & Dante to life in the most beautiful ways.”
“My angsty little teenage heart is overwhelmed!” commented another. “This story means so much to so many, it’s amazing!”
“I will be watching this film alone, and I don’t care if anyone/everyone sees me crying like a baby in the theater,” wrote another.
Be sure to catch Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe in cinemas on September 8 and enjoy the trailer below.
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