Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (2022) Movie Script
1
(TRAIN HORN BLARING
IN THE DISTANCE)
ARI:
One summer night
I fell asleep hoping the world
to be different when I woke.
(ALARM BEEPING)
ARI:
In the morning,
I opened my eyes.
The world was the same.
()
(SHOWER RUNNING)
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)
BOY:
She was changing
the other day at my house,
and I could see through
the crack in the door.
She was in her
bra and panties, man.
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)
ARI:
I was afraid I'd turn into
one of these idiots
obsessing over girls
and what they want
to do with them.
So I stayed away
from everyone.
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)
Alone was better.
Safer.
BOY 1:
Oh, you're Mr. Cabacho.
Pinchajoto.
I'd kick your ass
to the border.
Go ahead.
ARI:
Afraid that to be a man,
I would have to hurt other
boys to prove something.
I'm pretty sure that's what
put my brother
Bernardo in jail.
I don't know for sure
because my dad won't
let us ever talk about him.
He's so trapped
in his own silence.
I'm afraid I'll turn
into him someday.
I'm afraid
that nothing in my family
will ever change
and I'll feel alone forever.
What's up Mijo?
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
No, it's uh, I really like it.
How's your swimming class?
ARI:
Another summer. And I still
didn't know how to swim.
()
Runaway, turnaway, runaway,
turnaway, runaway
(COUGHING)
BOY 2:
Hey, I can teach you
how to swim.
I can teach you to swim
if you want.
What makes you think
I don't know how to swim.
My name is Dante.
(ARI CHUCKLES)
ARI:
Sorry.
It's okay.
People laugh at my name.
ARI:
No, no, no, no.
It's just uh-
My name is Aristotle.
My dad's an English professor.
ARI:
At least he had an excuse.
My dad's a mailman.
Yeah.
My name is really
Aristoteles.
My real first name
is Angel.
Wait, your name is
Angel Aristotle?
I used to tell people
my name was Dan.
You know,
I just dropped two letters
but I always got found out
and felt like a liar.
Everyone calls me Ari.
Nice to meet you Ari.
()
It's okay, it's okay.
Let's try again.
I got you.
Stretch out your arms.
Hold your chest up.
Close your eyes.
Trust me.
It's not shit.
ARI:
Archie and Veronica is shit.
Superman's a joke.
But Batman, Hulk, Spider-Man,
now we're talking.
Too dark.
The world's a dark place.
Maybe your world,
not mine.
So free.
Why aren't you wearing
any shoes?
Why would I wear shoes?
They talk about magic.
See them all.
But I never believed
in it until Dante.
()
()
(TRAIN PASSING BY)
()
(MOTHER HUMMING)
(MOTHER CONTINUES HUMMING)
Are you're going to say
good morning?
Good morning.
(CHUCKLES)
All this for me?
You wish.
I'm meeting again
with the church ladies.
They're picking me up soon.
At least you dried
yourself out of bed.
I don't know what is it
with boys who sleep.
(SIGHS)
Yeah, I don't know.
I was listening
to La Bamba.
MOTHER:
Richie Valens.
He was too young.
Maybe Richie Valens died young.
But at least he did
something pretty big.
You have time.
There's plenty of time.
(CHUCKLES)
Thanks.
What are you doing today?
Huh.
I don't know.
I'm probably joining
a gang or something.
That is not funny.
I'm Mexican.
Isn't that what we do?
No.
All right.
See you later.
Just a joke, Mom.
()
DANTE:
One, two,
three, go.
()
(COUGHS)
Not bad for your first time.
(SLURPS)
(BOTH CHUCKLES)
Rich people.
They don't ride the bus.
Do you think we're poor?
No.
But if we ran away,
we'd be poor.
Would you?
Huh?
Run away?
No.
I'm crazy about my parents.
(SLURPS)
(SONG PLAYING)
MAN OVER RADIO:
Bum bum bum.
I love me some expose.
Expose, expose.
(MAN ON RADIO LAUGHS)
MAN OVER RADIO:
It's a hot one out there.
Stay cool, stay loose,
stay hydrated, mi gente.
MOTHER:
Ari.
MAN OVER RADIO:
This crack rock cocaine.
Even if it's the gram
of drug in the 80s,
it can kill you.
MOTHER:
Ari.
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
-Auntie Ophelia?
-AUNTIE: How are you?
(CHUCKLES)
(MOTHER CHUCKLES)
Okay, yeah.
Bye.
(KNOCKING ON THE DOOR)
I know.
(CHUCKLES)
Hey.
Hey.
What?
The Japanese do it.
They don't bring
the dirt of the world
into another person's house.
I'm Dante Quintana.
Mucho gusto.
He taught me how to swim.
Told me not to drown.
So, I thought...
I brought you a gift.
(MOTHER CHUCKLES)
Ah, that's really
very generous, Dante.
I don't know if I can accept.
Beautiful, beautiful.
It's about Mexican art.
My parents didn't want me
to come over here empty-handed.
MOTHER:
Oh, thank you.
Thank you so much.
You should thank my dad.
It was his idea.
(MOTHER CHUCKLES)
Thank your father for me,
will you?
Yeah, yeah.
(SIGHS)
(SPEAKS IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(CHUCKLES)
You're a monk.
Do you have any hobbies?
Uh, I stare at my wall.
(LAUGHS)
Okay, come on, Dante.
Let's go.
Come on.
Sorry about my dad.
Pretty weird.
He was in the army
for a while,
so he made me join
the Boy Scouts.
My parents thought that
me being in Boy Scouts
would somehow, like,
prevent me from
becoming my brother.
You have a brother?
Kind of, yeah.
He's in jail,
so we don't talk about him
or anything like that.
What did he do?
I don't know.
People act like he's dead,
but he's not, you know?
At least people, like,
reminisce about the dead.
I don't want to talk
about my brother,
But--
I don't want to talk
about him, all right?
You should ask them.
Make them tell you about him.
He's your brother.
It's important.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER ON TV)
(CHUCKLES)
Mi nio, are you hungry?
No, I think I'm just
going to go to bed.
Are you sure?
I wouldn't mind making them.
It's okay.
Good night.
Good night.
FATHER:
Good night, Ari.
Mama.
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
It's nothing.
Never mind.
Good night.
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
(CHUCKLES)
Your house?
Yeah.
Welcome.
(CHUCKLES)
You rich or something?
(CHUCKLES)
Come on in.
DAD:
Oh, there he is,
my beautiful boy.
DANTE:
You didn't shave this morning.
Mom's not going to kiss you.
DAD:
It's summer,
and I'm working on my book, so.
Writing a book isn't work.
(CHUCKLES)
You have a lot
to learn about work.
(CHUCKLES)
And who's your friend?
I'm Ari.
Nice to meet you, Mr. Quintana.
Oh, please, call me Sam.
I can't.
You know, maybe Dante
can learn something from you.
What, like you want me
to call you Mr. Quintana?
SAM:
Yeah.
(LAUGHS)
How do you put up with this guy?
Come here.
Come.
()
DANTE:
Here it is,
the Raft of Medusa.
It's huge,
almost the size of a real boat.
Some paintings are like novels.
Someday I'm going to
travel to Paris,
go to the Louvre,
and stare at this painting
all day long.
Yes, you will.
But not before you clean
up that pigsty of a room.
(CHUCKLES)
Let's go upstairs.
Welcome to my room.
(CHUCKLES)
Um, just throw that stuff
on the floor and have a seat.
This was my mom's.
She said she was going to
throw it away.
Can you believe that?
Vinyl, real vinyl.
None of this cassette crap.
ARI:
What's wrong with cassettes?
I don't trust them.
()
Should I help?
I feel kind of weird
just sitting here.
DANTE:
Do you ever analyze
your parents?
I figured out my dad,
but not my mom.
She's the biggest mystery
in the world.
She's inscrutable.
Well, I-- I figured out
my mom mostly,
but my dad is inscrutable too.
Oh, you can read this
while I clean my room.
William Carlos Williams, poet.
It doesn't ring a bell.
(CHUCKLES)
Death.
He's dead.
The dog won't have to sleep on
the potatoes anymore
to keep them from freezing.
He's dead, the old bastard.
Isn't that great?
(CHUCKLES)
Here.
()
(INDISTINCT LYRICS)
Why do Mexicans like nicknames?
We do?
Yeah.
You know my aunts call my mom?
Chole.
-Is her name Soladad?
-Si.
(LAUGHS)
You know the nickname
for Soledad.
Chole.
Where did they get that from?
I kept it as color by her name.
Why does it bother you so much?
I don't know.
It's just weird.
It bothers you that
you're Mexican, doesn't it?
No.
Yes, it bothers me,
but I don't think Mexicans
like me.
You know, like even my cousins,
they think I'm a little
different.
You know,
they're really Mexican.
Well, I'm not.
(LAUGHS)
Wait, wait, okay.
Um, have you found SAT parner?
SUSIE:
Oh my god, yes,
I found.
GINA:
Really?
SUSIE:
Yes.
You have to gather information.
Get off, get off, get off.
(PANTS)
What the hell just happened?
Sorry, freaking Gina Navarro
was in that bus, man.
She's nosy and needs
to know everything.
We'll get in
the next one, alright?
But, yeah, you're a pocho.
A what?
Half-assed Mexican?
(LAUGHS)
Yeah, that's exactly what I am.
My Spanish isn't great.
MOM:
We help you.
SAM:
You're so pushy.
Okay, okay.
Go with your strategy.
DANTE:
Dad, you almost forgot
the telescope.
SAM:
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Oh no, good job sweetheart.
DANTE:
Be careful with that.
Ari, honey, are you going
to be warm enough?
(GRUNTS)
Yeah, yeah, thank you.
MOM:
We could get more snacks.
We have plenty of snacks.
SAM:
I can't even lift the cooler.
(GRUNTS)
I'm so happy
you're coming with us.
SAM:
Almost forgot this.
All right.
Okay.
You're going to
love it out there
in the light pollution.
SAM:
Okey dokey.
Everybody ready?
DANTE:
Yes.
Ready, ready, ready.
Let's do it.
MOM:
I control the media.
SAM:
Yes, please.
But I call it.
No, I call it.
MOM:
Dante's--
Oh.
()
MOM:
Dante loves it out here.
You know, I never used
to be an outdoor person
until I met Sam.
SAM:
What are you doing?
MAN OVER RADIO:
Summer, isn't she beautiful?
(GRUNTS)
MAN OVER RADIO:
Perfect to fall in love.
As is the stars.
Infinite possibilities.
(GRUNTS)
This is my first time
out here, ever.
Hmm. You got time.
You got plenty of time.
Everybody keeps saying that.
Moms.
Moms say things like that.
(CHUCKLES)
Oh, do you want a Coke?
Uh, sure.
Thank you.
So, Dante says
you're very smart.
I'm not as smart as him.
(CHUCKLES)
DANTE:
Look dad.
Ari, come here. Look at this.
SAM:
Oh yeah, there she is.
Oh my gosh.
Oh my gosh.
Ari, you're in for a treat,
buddy.
Come here.
Check it out. Check it out.
Look at this.
What is it?
Come on.
That's the Big Dipper.
And then right next to it,
that's the Scorpius
constellation,
which you can only see
during the summer.
(TAKES A DEEP BREATH)
Someday, I'm going to discover
all the secrets of the universe.
()
No light pollution.
(SIGHS)
No light pollution.
(SPEAKS IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(LAUGHS)
(CONVERSATION
IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Ari.
(SPEAKS IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
How was it?
It was fine. Yeah.
Good.
Ari.
(SPEAKS IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Look at this.
It's mural.
It's by Roscoe.
Nice, huh?
Um, do you want
something to eat?
(SPEAKS IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(GROANS)
I'm-- I'm fine.
I think I'm just going
to go take a shower.
Thank you.
Okay.
You have to eat something.
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
I won't run if you don't.
I won't run.
I'll walk barefoot.
How'd you get out so fast?
(BOTH LAUGH)
I'm leaving for a year.
What?
Why? I mean like, when?
What--
When are you leaving?
Uh, the end of August.
My dad's going to be
working for a year
at the University of Chicago.
That's great.
Great?
Aren't you sad I'm leaving?
()
Give me one of your shoes.
Thank you.
()
()
Look.
(SQUEAKING)
ARI:
It's going to die.
DANTE:
We can save it.
()
(TIRES SCREECH)
Dante.
Dante, hey!
(TIRES SCREECH)
()
()
(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)
()
(SHUSHING)
TIA:
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
(SINGING SPANISH)
(SHUSHING)
TIA:
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
(CHUCKLES)
You're the most beautiful
boy in the universe.
(CHUCKLES)
How are you?
I met Dante.
He's cute.
Really sweet.
Is he Mexican?
He doesn't look Mexican.
Dante's my friend.
Yes, my love.
He is.
()
I'm sorry.
So sorry.
(SOBS)
You dove at me like--
I don't know,
some kind of football player.
It all happened so fast,
but you just knew what to do.
You saved my life.
()
(TAKES A DEEP BREATH)
AR:
Dante. Dante.
Dante.
()
(SIGHS)
Tia, when I'm gonna
stop feeling like crap?
TIA:
You just need to be patient.
You'll be good as new soon.
(SIGHS)
(GROANS)
I love you, Ari.
(KISSES)
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
(SCOFFS)
TIA:
And no matter what,
I want you to remember
you are perfect
just the way you are.
(CHUCKLES)
I got to get going.
I have a long ride ahead of me.
(CHUCKLES)
You didn't have to
come this far for me, Tia.
Wherever you are,
mi amor.
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
(LAUGHS)
DANTE:
Too much light pollution.
Too much light pollution.
I went swimming earlier.
How did that go?
I love swimming.
Will we be friends
when I come back
from Chicago?
Yes.
Really?
Do you promise?
I promise.
Okay.
(SIGHS)
Okay.
Here.
I want you to have this.
You're honest, man.
DANTE:
Honest?
Yeah.
You're honest and true.
You're gonna be
a great artist someday.
Someday.
(CHUCKLES)
Listen, you don't have to
keep the sketchbook.
You gave it to me.
All right?
It's mine.
SAM:
Thank you. Thank you.
I will. I will.
(CONVERSATION IN SPANISH)
Thanks for coming.
Thank you for having me.
I meant what I said in here,
okay?
You ready bud?
Mom's waiting at home
to pack up your room.
Okay.
We will miss you.
Bye.
Bye. I'll miss you.
DANTE:
See you next summer, Ari.
(CAR IGNITION)
Okay.
Alright.
Yeah.
GINA:
Oh, that's a holo-cast, okay.
Yo.
Accident?
Yeah.
GINA:
That is not an answer.
That's an answer.
You know, I'm not
so sure I like you, Ari.
You know, I'm not so sure
I like you either, Gina.
Look, why don't you just
take a hike, alright?
Just tell us what happened.
Susie, I already said
what happened, okay?
It was an accident.
Okay, what kind of accident?
It's complicated.
Just tell me.
Yeah, just tell us.
Wow, you really are
full of shit.
Let's go.
Bye, loser.
Bye.
()
Hi.
Hi.
May I?
Yeah, totally.
Can I sign your cast?
Yeah.
(SIGHS)
So, what happened to you anyway?
There was like this guy
who's like life I saved.
I saved his life.
Because there was a car coming,
so I got him out of the way.
Sick.
Yeah, it was pretty sick
because I saved.
(CAR HORN HONKS)
Oh, my mom is here,
so I'm going to leave you.
(GROANS)
Oh, let me help you.
Thank you. Thank you.
Yeah, I'll just take that.
Yeah.
Thank you. Okay bye.
I'll see you later.
Bye. Oh, feel better.
ARI:
Thanks. Thank you.
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
This crutch is so much.
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
Is that Elena?
She's too pretty for me, mom.
No, it's just Menzo.
The cast is going to
come up next week,
and then it's on to therapy,
and then you go back to
being your old pain in the butt.
(CHUCKLES)
By the way, there's a letter.
Actually two letters of Dante
waiting for you at home.
And also, your father wants you
to take a look at something.
Happy birthday, Mijo.
(LAUGHING)
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
Do you like it?
I think I'll take
one of those lowriders instead.
Over my dead body.
How?
We save a little
and your dad picks some things.
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
We Mexicans
are good at that, eh?
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
(CHUCKLES)
()
DANTE:
Dear Ari, how's your leg?
Okay.
I really am sort of
in love with Chicago.
I ride the L sometimes,
make up stories in my
head about the people.
There are more black
people here than in El Paso,
and I like that.
There are lots of Irish
and Eastern European types,
and of course
there are Mexicans.
Mexicans are everywhere.
We're like sparrows.
You know, I still don't really
know if I'm a Mexican.
I don't think I am.
What am I, Ari?
I have some friends. They're
okay.
P.S. I cut my hair.
It's better for swimming.
Always your friend, Dante.
()
ARI:
Dear Dante,
sorry I haven't written.
I can walk like normal now
just so you won't feel
guilty anymore, okay?
That's enough about
that particular topic.
I have a new dog.
Her name is Legs
because I found her
the day I got my legs back.
She followed me home
from the park.
My mom was happy about it.
She doesn't think
I have any friends.
That's sort of true.
But I'm not good at
making friends.
I'm okay with that.
FATHER:
Step on the clutch.
First gear, and now slowly
release the clutch, okay?
Gears.
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey,
hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
It's okay, it's okay,
it's okay, it's okay.
Don't worry. Let's try again.
ARI:
Guess what?
I got a 1957 Chevy pickup
for my birthday.
A real Mexican truck.
Dad gave me my
first driving lesson.
I can't help but wonder
if my dad ever taught
Bernardo how to drive.
But everyone gets mad
when I ask about my brother.
Maybe keeping things inside
is just the way it has to be.
We all fight our own
private wars.
If I don't write as many letters
as you do, don't be upset.
I'm doing the best
I can, okay?
I'm not doing that
to upset you.
I want other people
to tell me how they feel,
but I'm not so sure
I want to return the favor.
Your friend, Ari.
DANTE:
Ari, do you masturbate?
I'm thinking you think
that's a funny question,
but it's a very
serious question.
I mean, you're pretty normal.
At least you're
more normal than me.
So maybe you masturbate.
MAN:
Yo, what's good, Ari?
Hey, man, how you doing?
MAN:
You good?
Yeah.
MAN:
All right.
MAN 2:
Hey, Ari. What's up, man?
I'll see you inside, all right?
Yeah.
There you go.
How old are you?
How old are you?
Thank you.
Thanks.
Hey, wait, wait, wait.
Be safe.
MAN OVER RADIO:
I miss you, Rosa.
You know, you can forgive me
and we can be together again
soon.
Oh, heartbreak, Rosa,
if you're listening,
give Julio a call.
He needs your love.
Nothing like the power of love,
especially on nights
like tonight.
Keep loving, El Paso.
Keep loving.
And your body don't dance
on the edge of the dark
We got the rain
I love you, Legs.
Yeah, I do.
It's getting pretty cold.
And it feels like love
And it's all that we've got
As a heartbreak beat
playing all night long
DANTE:
Dear Ari, I went to a party.
There were so many
people there.
Somehow, I found myself
talking to this girl.
Her name was Emma.
She was smart and beautiful,
and she said
she loved my name.
And all of a sudden,
she leans in and kisses me.
I guess you could say
I kissed her back.
She tasted like
mint and cigarettes,
and it was-
Well, it was nice.
We kissed a long time.
She told me
I was beautiful.
No one has ever
told me I was beautiful.
I'm still thinking
about that kiss.
And the world don't stop
Everytime that you fall
As a heartbreak beat
playing all night long
Down on my screen
And it feels like love...
DANTE:
I'm not sure about all this.
The truth is, I miss El Paso.
I think about it all the time.
And I think of you.
Yours, Dante.
MAN OVER RADIO:
It's getting cold out there.
Nothing like an El Paso night.
Don't forget to say I love you
before it's too late.
()
DANTE:
Dear Ari,
I have this picture
in my head of you
lying on the bed
of your pickup,
looking up at all the stars.
I have this sketch
in my head.
(CHUCKLES)
DANTE:
Merry Christmas, Ari.
Dante.
(INDISTINCT LYRICS)
()
MAN OVER RADIO:
Happy New Year, El Paso.
It's almost 1988.
Wow, how time flies.
Wishing you
all the best year ever.
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)
Hey, Ari, what's up, man?
Hey, you are big.
Shit.
Last time I saw you,
you were...
Looking good, buddy.
Hey, you got any girlfriends?
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
GIRL:
Look at you.
My born-too-late little
brother's got a job, huh?
Yeah.
Yeah, good job. Looking so cute.
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
Hi, Ari.
Most beautiful boy
in the universe.
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
Wait, don't leave yet.
I've got a little something
for you.
Little brother,
you're looking handsome.
No, take this.
For the road.
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
Happy New Year.
Happy New Year.
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
Come on, happy New Year.
Hey, how is your friend Dante?
He's fine. He's in Chicago.
Just a little something for you.
I love you.
I'm happy to see
that you're okay.
Anything you need.
I love you.
You're getting old.
STAFF 1:
Hey, guys,
let's clean up fast
so we can get out
of here and party.
STAFF 2:
Hey, pack it up. You guys, you
got one hour. That's it.
STAFF 3:
Oh, man, I'll get more.
Oh, yeah.
STAFF 1:
All right.
STAFF 3:
Two extra fries.
Two Extra fries.
STAFF 1:
Hey, I need a milkshake.
(ARI SINGS THE SONG ON RADIO)
STAFF:
Happy New Year.
What can I get you?
GINA:
Yes, can I get two
vanilla milkshakes,
a burger and fries?
Gina!
So, you two going out
with each other or something?
What is it?
Party in our car,
you asshole.
You almost done?
I got to clean up
before I get off.
We came to invite you
to a party.
Party? I'm good.
Thanks, though.
There's beer.
And girls you might
want to kiss.
Maybe.
GINA:
No maybes. Come on, loosen up.
Yeah, fuck it. Let's party. I'll
see you later, right?
Yes, Ari.
DANTE:
Dear Ari...
this girl who I've been fooling
around with finally said to me,
"Dante, I think that
when you kiss me,
you're kissing someone else."
And she asked
a very interesting
and forward question.
"Are you kissing another girl?
Or are you kissing a boy?"
Ari!
Come on, get a drink, grumpy.
()
DANTE:
Ari, the thing is,
I love my dad.
My mom, too,
And I keep wondering
what they're going to say
when I tell them that
someday I want to marry a boy.
Wow.
Look at you.
So, it's New Year's.
Happy New Year's.
Yeah, happy New Year's.
DANTE:
I'm the only son.
I hate that I'm going to
disappoint them.
I have a little speech.
It starts something like this.
Dad, I have something
to say to you.
I like boys.
Don't hate me.
Please don't hate me.
I got to go.
I have a boyfriend.
So, why'd you kiss me?
Because you're good looking.
That's the only reason.
And you're nice.
Okay.
Look, he's in a gang, okay?
And trust me,
if he knew about you,
something bad would happen.
I'm not afraid.
Well, you should be.
What if you just
like broke up with him?
It's not that easy.
Ari, you're a good boy.
You know, that sucks, right?
I don't want to be a good boy.
You don't need to be mad.
Don't tell me to not be mad.
Why'd you kiss me?
Huh?
Why did you kiss me?
I shouldn't have.
I'm sorry.
No, come--
Hey, I saw that.
So fucking what, Gina?
()
DANTE:
I don't want you to
hate me either, Ari.
But I think you're wrong.
I don't think
keeping things inside
is the way things have to be.
I can't stay trapped
in this secret anymore.
I want to be free.
I am scared of
what might happen.
But I want to be brave.
Brave like you.
()
()
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
Did something happen?
Tell me about Bernardo.
Tell me about my brother.
Ari.
Ari.
Ari, please.
This is not the time, baby.
Can we wait?
No.
This is a picture of
your father and Bernardo.
And this is Bernardo.
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
Just before he got arrested.
I'm sorry.
Just sometimes in life,
some things are just
hard to look at.
So you don't look.
Your brother, Bernardo,
he killed someone
with his bare hands.
I never said that before.
Take this.
It's for you.
It has everything.
Keep it.
()
()
DANTE:
Is everything okay?
ARI:
I asked them.
I asked them about my brother.
DANTE:
Oh.
He was just 15.
Looking for trouble,
so he picked up a prostitute.
The prostitute was
a trans, trans.
DANTE:
Yeah, I know what you mean.
()
My brother went ballistic
and killed her
with his bare hands.
Oh, God.
Do you feel better?
You know, knowing the truth?
I understand why my
parents kept it a secret.
I thought that knowing
would make me feel better.
It doesn't.
MAN OVER RADIO:
It's summer again, El Paso.
And hey, if you're feeling
a little too hot
or a little anal-hovel,
drink a little water
and remember to take
a little time to relax.
It's 40 minutes.
Dangerous too cute
To feeble to let go
And you want to
buy her things
Should've stopped her
long ago
Go, go now
(INDISTINCT LYRICS)
GINA:
Hey.
Hey.
GINA:
There's something
different about you.
I like it.
Thank you.
That's like the nicest thing
you ever said to me.
How are you celebrating
the beginning of summer?
Oh, grilling more burgers.
I'm just working.
How about you?
Party or something?
Of course.
(CHUCKLES)
Later.
()
Look at you.
You look like Che Guevara
without the mustache.
And who's this?
This is Legs.
Hi. It's so nice to meet you.
You're so cute.
(CHUCKLES)
You look different.
Oh, dad's old weights.
You look shorter.
But your hair makes
you look taller.
Definitely not shorter.
Whatever.
Come here.
I missed you so much,
Armentosa.
Aristotle, come here, my boy.
There he is.
Look how big he is.
Oh, my gosh.
Move, move, let me get in.
Look at your truck.
Look at that.
Wow.
Oh, honey.
I know you're eventually
going to let Dante drive.
Will you just promise
me to be careful?
Uh, I won't.
What? Now I'm going to have two
moms worrying about me, huh?
Yes, yes, you are
part of this family,
so you might
as well stop lighting it.
Okay, it's official.
I'm trading my
station wagon for this, okay?
I'm not getting that.
(THUNDER RUMBLES)
Legs', come on, girl.
What is she eating?
She's a dog. She just eats
anything.
She's crazy.
Crazy girl.
Are there going to be
rules for us?
Rules?
You know what
I'm talking about.
Ahh.
I guess so.
Yeah, huh...
I don't kiss boys.
Okay.
Then I have a rule for you.
No running away.
When someone says to you,
why are you hanging out
with that queer,
if you can't stick by me,
it would kill me.
I missed it here.
Next time we need
to go camping again,
I'll bring my telescope.
Yeah, good idea.
Good idea.
(DOG WHINES)
I love Legs.
She loves you. Yeah.
(WIND BLOWING)
Oh, man.
It's going to rain.
Yeah, let's go to the truck.
Come on, girl.
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
(LIGHTNING CRACKS)
I brought you a surprise.
()
The city taught me
how to roll the joint.
()
Do you ever feel like
the longer than rain...
()
Let's go out there.
()
()
()
Okay, I guess I'll see you
around or whatever.
I was thinking about
the kissing thing.
I mean, how do you know that
you don't like kissing boys
if you've never kissed a boy?
I think you just know.
Well, have you ever?
No.
Have you?
No.
I think we should
try an experiment.
No.
You're my best friend, right?
Yes, but regretting it now.
Listen, it's just a kiss
and then we'll both know.
Dante.
Please.
Turn to me.
Turn to me.
Shit.
Close your eyes.
Really?
Yes, close your eyes.
Well?
Didn't work for me.
Nothing?
Get out.
But.
Can you get out of my car?
You're fucking disgusting.
Can you please get out
of my fucking car?
I'm sorry?
Get the fuck out of my car.
Come on. Move. Come on.
I don't fucking believe you.
ARI:
Go, go, go.
Get the fuck out.
Should I open the door?
()
()
NEWS REPORTER:
As demonstrators were demand
more money
they brought rush hour traffic
to a standstill.
Didn't think you'd work
on Saturdays?
I'm covering for someone.
MOTHER:
Well, that's decent of you.
I'm getting paid. It's not like
it's free.
REPORTER ON TV:
Then just after eight,
arrests began.
(CROWD CHANTING)
()
()
()
()
FATHER:
Ari.
Your Tia passed away.
We're going to her house
for the funeral.
Your mother left earlier today.
We're meeting her there.
They-
The Quintanos are nice enough
to watch the house for us.
We'll have to make
arrangements at work.
I'm sorry, Dad.
I'm sorry
I'm so angry sometimes, just...
Sometimes I have these things--
they're right inside of me.
Like feelings.
I don't know
what to do with them.
Probably, it doesn't
make any sense.
It sounds normal.
I don't think
I'm so normal, dad.
Maybe if we talk more.
Which one of us
is better with words, Dad.
Well-
We're talking now, aren't we?
Yeah.
We're talking now.
Yeah.
Why didn't they come?
My aunts and uncles?
To the funeral?
They didn't approve of her.
()
She lived with another
woman for many years.
They were lovers.
Does that bother you?
No.
I remember her, yeah.
Franny, right?
She had green eyes.
And she sure did love to sing.
Yeah, she was bad.
FATHER:
To your Tia.
()
()
ARI:
What are you doing?
Ari.
ARI:
What's wrong?
Dante.
No, don't.
Don't say anything, okay?
I'm here.
I'm sorry. I should have been
here. I'm sorry.
Sorry.
My Tia,
she left me the house.
So I was thinking,
once you start feeling better,
if you want to,
we can go and hang out
there sometime.
He's going to be okay.
Yes, yes, yes,
he's going to be okay.
Come with me, sweetheart.
Ari, honey, you're always going
to be his friend, right?
Always.
No matter what.
There was this old lady
who saw everything
and she called the police.
Dante was kissing
a boy in the alley
and some other boys were
walking by and saw them.
They hurt my baby.
(SOBBING)
It's hard,
and I think we're both just
a little bit lost right now.
I'm sorry.
What happened to the other guy?
Daniel, he ran.
Dante didn't.
I don't know why
Dante didn't run.
I don't know why
he didn't just run.
He would be okay
if he just ran.
Because he's Dante.
Ari, honey, where are you going?
I'm Ari, Dante's friend.
I know.
I think you should take a break.
I don't think-
I'm going to wait
for you outside, right?
I'm going to wait
for exactly five minutes
and if you're not outside
in five minutes,
I'm going to come back inside
and I'm going to
kick your fucking ass.
You got that, Daniel?
Dante's in the hospital.
Oh.
Don't you have anything
else to say, you asshole?
I don't know what you're-
Don't fuck with me, man.
Look, you're not
going to tell anyone
about me and Dante.
Dante's in the hospital
and the only thing
you're worried about
is me not telling anybody.
Who were they?
They were four guys.
Okay, what name?
Julian.
Enrique? Who else?
Joe Montala.
Who else?
I don't know the other two.
I swear to God, I don't know.
So you just left him there,
right?
DANIEL:
He wouldn't run.
I don't care. You didn't even go
back. Okay?
He wouldn't run.
Stop it.
You don't fucking care at all.
()
Julian.
()
What's up, Ari?
Nothing.
Is your truck?
Yeah.
Nice wheels.
()
Got some stuff
going on right now.
Why don't you bring them back?
I'll take it for a spin.
()
(ARI SCREAMS)
(BANGING)
(HEAVY BREATHING)
(GRUNTING)
(SCREAMING)
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
()
MOTHER:
Ari.
Ari, stop.
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
They hurt him, all right?
Okay, he's lying in a fucking
hospital bed right now.
I can't do a single
thing about it, all right?
Because he just left him
in an alleyway
like he was nothing.
Like he was a piece of trash,
like he was just some shit on-
Nothing, all right?
But he's not.
I understand.
I'm here for you.
You need to sit down.
You have to sit down.
FATHER:
Ari, Ari, Mr. Rodriguez called.
I've been looking for you.
MOTHER:
He's okay, he's okay.
Is he okay? Sure?
I'm f--
I'm fucked up, mom.
No.
Yes, I am, okay?
So, and, and I-
I'm just like him, all right?
I'm probably--
I'm probably worse than him.
So I think we should just,
you know,
get it out of the away, right?
I don't-- I don't mean to
disappoint you.
Ari.
I promise.
You do not disappoint me.
You.
You hold us together.
But Ari,
you have to stop running.
From what?
You and Dante.
Dante loves you, Ari.
No. No. No. Why?
Why are you saying that?
FATHER:
I think you love him
more than you can bear.
I can't stand watching
the loneliness inside you.
I can't stand it.
I love you.
I see you, amigo.
I see you.
()
I'm ashamed.
Ashamed?
Ashamed of what?
Of loving Dante?
You should be proud.
()
()
()
()
RADIO:
Non-stop music. Hello--
ARI:
You want me to
put on a cassette?
No.
ARI:
No?
Okay.
I love it here.
I love these things, too.
You love a lot of things,
don't you?
You sound mad.
I think I am mad.
I can't do this.
Can't do what?
The whole friend thing.
I can't do it.
Why not?
I have to explain it to you?
Dante, hey.
Hey, Dante, come on.
I don't like
when you touch me.
Dante.
What?
Don't be mad.
I don't know
what to do anymore, Ari?
(WIND BLOWING)
Dante.
That time
you kissed me?
Yeah.
Remember, that time I didn't.
Why are you bringing this up?
I remember.
I remember.
Do you think I've forgotten?
I don't want to
talk about that.
It makes me feel bad.
Dante, what did I say
when you kissed me?
You said it didn't work for you.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
I lied to you.
()
That's not true, alright?
It's you.
That's what I'm afraid of.
I'm afraid of you.
()
()
I'm not going to be afraid
of loving Dante Quintana.
()
()
()
()
ARI:
Sometimes you can discover
the secrets of the universe
in someone's hand.
No light pollution.
No light pollution.
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
()
(TRAIN HORN BLARING
IN THE DISTANCE)
ARI:
One summer night
I fell asleep hoping the world
to be different when I woke.
(ALARM BEEPING)
ARI:
In the morning,
I opened my eyes.
The world was the same.
()
(SHOWER RUNNING)
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)
BOY:
She was changing
the other day at my house,
and I could see through
the crack in the door.
She was in her
bra and panties, man.
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)
ARI:
I was afraid I'd turn into
one of these idiots
obsessing over girls
and what they want
to do with them.
So I stayed away
from everyone.
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)
Alone was better.
Safer.
BOY 1:
Oh, you're Mr. Cabacho.
Pinchajoto.
I'd kick your ass
to the border.
Go ahead.
ARI:
Afraid that to be a man,
I would have to hurt other
boys to prove something.
I'm pretty sure that's what
put my brother
Bernardo in jail.
I don't know for sure
because my dad won't
let us ever talk about him.
He's so trapped
in his own silence.
I'm afraid I'll turn
into him someday.
I'm afraid
that nothing in my family
will ever change
and I'll feel alone forever.
What's up Mijo?
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
No, it's uh, I really like it.
How's your swimming class?
ARI:
Another summer. And I still
didn't know how to swim.
()
Runaway, turnaway, runaway,
turnaway, runaway
(COUGHING)
BOY 2:
Hey, I can teach you
how to swim.
I can teach you to swim
if you want.
What makes you think
I don't know how to swim.
My name is Dante.
(ARI CHUCKLES)
ARI:
Sorry.
It's okay.
People laugh at my name.
ARI:
No, no, no, no.
It's just uh-
My name is Aristotle.
My dad's an English professor.
ARI:
At least he had an excuse.
My dad's a mailman.
Yeah.
My name is really
Aristoteles.
My real first name
is Angel.
Wait, your name is
Angel Aristotle?
I used to tell people
my name was Dan.
You know,
I just dropped two letters
but I always got found out
and felt like a liar.
Everyone calls me Ari.
Nice to meet you Ari.
()
It's okay, it's okay.
Let's try again.
I got you.
Stretch out your arms.
Hold your chest up.
Close your eyes.
Trust me.
It's not shit.
ARI:
Archie and Veronica is shit.
Superman's a joke.
But Batman, Hulk, Spider-Man,
now we're talking.
Too dark.
The world's a dark place.
Maybe your world,
not mine.
So free.
Why aren't you wearing
any shoes?
Why would I wear shoes?
They talk about magic.
See them all.
But I never believed
in it until Dante.
()
()
(TRAIN PASSING BY)
()
(MOTHER HUMMING)
(MOTHER CONTINUES HUMMING)
Are you're going to say
good morning?
Good morning.
(CHUCKLES)
All this for me?
You wish.
I'm meeting again
with the church ladies.
They're picking me up soon.
At least you dried
yourself out of bed.
I don't know what is it
with boys who sleep.
(SIGHS)
Yeah, I don't know.
I was listening
to La Bamba.
MOTHER:
Richie Valens.
He was too young.
Maybe Richie Valens died young.
But at least he did
something pretty big.
You have time.
There's plenty of time.
(CHUCKLES)
Thanks.
What are you doing today?
Huh.
I don't know.
I'm probably joining
a gang or something.
That is not funny.
I'm Mexican.
Isn't that what we do?
No.
All right.
See you later.
Just a joke, Mom.
()
DANTE:
One, two,
three, go.
()
(COUGHS)
Not bad for your first time.
(SLURPS)
(BOTH CHUCKLES)
Rich people.
They don't ride the bus.
Do you think we're poor?
No.
But if we ran away,
we'd be poor.
Would you?
Huh?
Run away?
No.
I'm crazy about my parents.
(SLURPS)
(SONG PLAYING)
MAN OVER RADIO:
Bum bum bum.
I love me some expose.
Expose, expose.
(MAN ON RADIO LAUGHS)
MAN OVER RADIO:
It's a hot one out there.
Stay cool, stay loose,
stay hydrated, mi gente.
MOTHER:
Ari.
MAN OVER RADIO:
This crack rock cocaine.
Even if it's the gram
of drug in the 80s,
it can kill you.
MOTHER:
Ari.
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
-Auntie Ophelia?
-AUNTIE: How are you?
(CHUCKLES)
(MOTHER CHUCKLES)
Okay, yeah.
Bye.
(KNOCKING ON THE DOOR)
I know.
(CHUCKLES)
Hey.
Hey.
What?
The Japanese do it.
They don't bring
the dirt of the world
into another person's house.
I'm Dante Quintana.
Mucho gusto.
He taught me how to swim.
Told me not to drown.
So, I thought...
I brought you a gift.
(MOTHER CHUCKLES)
Ah, that's really
very generous, Dante.
I don't know if I can accept.
Beautiful, beautiful.
It's about Mexican art.
My parents didn't want me
to come over here empty-handed.
MOTHER:
Oh, thank you.
Thank you so much.
You should thank my dad.
It was his idea.
(MOTHER CHUCKLES)
Thank your father for me,
will you?
Yeah, yeah.
(SIGHS)
(SPEAKS IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(CHUCKLES)
You're a monk.
Do you have any hobbies?
Uh, I stare at my wall.
(LAUGHS)
Okay, come on, Dante.
Let's go.
Come on.
Sorry about my dad.
Pretty weird.
He was in the army
for a while,
so he made me join
the Boy Scouts.
My parents thought that
me being in Boy Scouts
would somehow, like,
prevent me from
becoming my brother.
You have a brother?
Kind of, yeah.
He's in jail,
so we don't talk about him
or anything like that.
What did he do?
I don't know.
People act like he's dead,
but he's not, you know?
At least people, like,
reminisce about the dead.
I don't want to talk
about my brother,
But--
I don't want to talk
about him, all right?
You should ask them.
Make them tell you about him.
He's your brother.
It's important.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER ON TV)
(CHUCKLES)
Mi nio, are you hungry?
No, I think I'm just
going to go to bed.
Are you sure?
I wouldn't mind making them.
It's okay.
Good night.
Good night.
FATHER:
Good night, Ari.
Mama.
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
It's nothing.
Never mind.
Good night.
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
(CHUCKLES)
Your house?
Yeah.
Welcome.
(CHUCKLES)
You rich or something?
(CHUCKLES)
Come on in.
DAD:
Oh, there he is,
my beautiful boy.
DANTE:
You didn't shave this morning.
Mom's not going to kiss you.
DAD:
It's summer,
and I'm working on my book, so.
Writing a book isn't work.
(CHUCKLES)
You have a lot
to learn about work.
(CHUCKLES)
And who's your friend?
I'm Ari.
Nice to meet you, Mr. Quintana.
Oh, please, call me Sam.
I can't.
You know, maybe Dante
can learn something from you.
What, like you want me
to call you Mr. Quintana?
SAM:
Yeah.
(LAUGHS)
How do you put up with this guy?
Come here.
Come.
()
DANTE:
Here it is,
the Raft of Medusa.
It's huge,
almost the size of a real boat.
Some paintings are like novels.
Someday I'm going to
travel to Paris,
go to the Louvre,
and stare at this painting
all day long.
Yes, you will.
But not before you clean
up that pigsty of a room.
(CHUCKLES)
Let's go upstairs.
Welcome to my room.
(CHUCKLES)
Um, just throw that stuff
on the floor and have a seat.
This was my mom's.
She said she was going to
throw it away.
Can you believe that?
Vinyl, real vinyl.
None of this cassette crap.
ARI:
What's wrong with cassettes?
I don't trust them.
()
Should I help?
I feel kind of weird
just sitting here.
DANTE:
Do you ever analyze
your parents?
I figured out my dad,
but not my mom.
She's the biggest mystery
in the world.
She's inscrutable.
Well, I-- I figured out
my mom mostly,
but my dad is inscrutable too.
Oh, you can read this
while I clean my room.
William Carlos Williams, poet.
It doesn't ring a bell.
(CHUCKLES)
Death.
He's dead.
The dog won't have to sleep on
the potatoes anymore
to keep them from freezing.
He's dead, the old bastard.
Isn't that great?
(CHUCKLES)
Here.
()
(INDISTINCT LYRICS)
Why do Mexicans like nicknames?
We do?
Yeah.
You know my aunts call my mom?
Chole.
-Is her name Soladad?
-Si.
(LAUGHS)
You know the nickname
for Soledad.
Chole.
Where did they get that from?
I kept it as color by her name.
Why does it bother you so much?
I don't know.
It's just weird.
It bothers you that
you're Mexican, doesn't it?
No.
Yes, it bothers me,
but I don't think Mexicans
like me.
You know, like even my cousins,
they think I'm a little
different.
You know,
they're really Mexican.
Well, I'm not.
(LAUGHS)
Wait, wait, okay.
Um, have you found SAT parner?
SUSIE:
Oh my god, yes,
I found.
GINA:
Really?
SUSIE:
Yes.
You have to gather information.
Get off, get off, get off.
(PANTS)
What the hell just happened?
Sorry, freaking Gina Navarro
was in that bus, man.
She's nosy and needs
to know everything.
We'll get in
the next one, alright?
But, yeah, you're a pocho.
A what?
Half-assed Mexican?
(LAUGHS)
Yeah, that's exactly what I am.
My Spanish isn't great.
MOM:
We help you.
SAM:
You're so pushy.
Okay, okay.
Go with your strategy.
DANTE:
Dad, you almost forgot
the telescope.
SAM:
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Oh no, good job sweetheart.
DANTE:
Be careful with that.
Ari, honey, are you going
to be warm enough?
(GRUNTS)
Yeah, yeah, thank you.
MOM:
We could get more snacks.
We have plenty of snacks.
SAM:
I can't even lift the cooler.
(GRUNTS)
I'm so happy
you're coming with us.
SAM:
Almost forgot this.
All right.
Okay.
You're going to
love it out there
in the light pollution.
SAM:
Okey dokey.
Everybody ready?
DANTE:
Yes.
Ready, ready, ready.
Let's do it.
MOM:
I control the media.
SAM:
Yes, please.
But I call it.
No, I call it.
MOM:
Dante's--
Oh.
()
MOM:
Dante loves it out here.
You know, I never used
to be an outdoor person
until I met Sam.
SAM:
What are you doing?
MAN OVER RADIO:
Summer, isn't she beautiful?
(GRUNTS)
MAN OVER RADIO:
Perfect to fall in love.
As is the stars.
Infinite possibilities.
(GRUNTS)
This is my first time
out here, ever.
Hmm. You got time.
You got plenty of time.
Everybody keeps saying that.
Moms.
Moms say things like that.
(CHUCKLES)
Oh, do you want a Coke?
Uh, sure.
Thank you.
So, Dante says
you're very smart.
I'm not as smart as him.
(CHUCKLES)
DANTE:
Look dad.
Ari, come here. Look at this.
SAM:
Oh yeah, there she is.
Oh my gosh.
Oh my gosh.
Ari, you're in for a treat,
buddy.
Come here.
Check it out. Check it out.
Look at this.
What is it?
Come on.
That's the Big Dipper.
And then right next to it,
that's the Scorpius
constellation,
which you can only see
during the summer.
(TAKES A DEEP BREATH)
Someday, I'm going to discover
all the secrets of the universe.
()
No light pollution.
(SIGHS)
No light pollution.
(SPEAKS IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(LAUGHS)
(CONVERSATION
IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Ari.
(SPEAKS IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
How was it?
It was fine. Yeah.
Good.
Ari.
(SPEAKS IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Look at this.
It's mural.
It's by Roscoe.
Nice, huh?
Um, do you want
something to eat?
(SPEAKS IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(GROANS)
I'm-- I'm fine.
I think I'm just going
to go take a shower.
Thank you.
Okay.
You have to eat something.
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
I won't run if you don't.
I won't run.
I'll walk barefoot.
How'd you get out so fast?
(BOTH LAUGH)
I'm leaving for a year.
What?
Why? I mean like, when?
What--
When are you leaving?
Uh, the end of August.
My dad's going to be
working for a year
at the University of Chicago.
That's great.
Great?
Aren't you sad I'm leaving?
()
Give me one of your shoes.
Thank you.
()
()
Look.
(SQUEAKING)
ARI:
It's going to die.
DANTE:
We can save it.
()
(TIRES SCREECH)
Dante.
Dante, hey!
(TIRES SCREECH)
()
()
(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)
()
(SHUSHING)
TIA:
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
(SINGING SPANISH)
(SHUSHING)
TIA:
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
(CHUCKLES)
You're the most beautiful
boy in the universe.
(CHUCKLES)
How are you?
I met Dante.
He's cute.
Really sweet.
Is he Mexican?
He doesn't look Mexican.
Dante's my friend.
Yes, my love.
He is.
()
I'm sorry.
So sorry.
(SOBS)
You dove at me like--
I don't know,
some kind of football player.
It all happened so fast,
but you just knew what to do.
You saved my life.
()
(TAKES A DEEP BREATH)
AR:
Dante. Dante.
Dante.
()
(SIGHS)
Tia, when I'm gonna
stop feeling like crap?
TIA:
You just need to be patient.
You'll be good as new soon.
(SIGHS)
(GROANS)
I love you, Ari.
(KISSES)
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
(SCOFFS)
TIA:
And no matter what,
I want you to remember
you are perfect
just the way you are.
(CHUCKLES)
I got to get going.
I have a long ride ahead of me.
(CHUCKLES)
You didn't have to
come this far for me, Tia.
Wherever you are,
mi amor.
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
(LAUGHS)
DANTE:
Too much light pollution.
Too much light pollution.
I went swimming earlier.
How did that go?
I love swimming.
Will we be friends
when I come back
from Chicago?
Yes.
Really?
Do you promise?
I promise.
Okay.
(SIGHS)
Okay.
Here.
I want you to have this.
You're honest, man.
DANTE:
Honest?
Yeah.
You're honest and true.
You're gonna be
a great artist someday.
Someday.
(CHUCKLES)
Listen, you don't have to
keep the sketchbook.
You gave it to me.
All right?
It's mine.
SAM:
Thank you. Thank you.
I will. I will.
(CONVERSATION IN SPANISH)
Thanks for coming.
Thank you for having me.
I meant what I said in here,
okay?
You ready bud?
Mom's waiting at home
to pack up your room.
Okay.
We will miss you.
Bye.
Bye. I'll miss you.
DANTE:
See you next summer, Ari.
(CAR IGNITION)
Okay.
Alright.
Yeah.
GINA:
Oh, that's a holo-cast, okay.
Yo.
Accident?
Yeah.
GINA:
That is not an answer.
That's an answer.
You know, I'm not
so sure I like you, Ari.
You know, I'm not so sure
I like you either, Gina.
Look, why don't you just
take a hike, alright?
Just tell us what happened.
Susie, I already said
what happened, okay?
It was an accident.
Okay, what kind of accident?
It's complicated.
Just tell me.
Yeah, just tell us.
Wow, you really are
full of shit.
Let's go.
Bye, loser.
Bye.
()
Hi.
Hi.
May I?
Yeah, totally.
Can I sign your cast?
Yeah.
(SIGHS)
So, what happened to you anyway?
There was like this guy
who's like life I saved.
I saved his life.
Because there was a car coming,
so I got him out of the way.
Sick.
Yeah, it was pretty sick
because I saved.
(CAR HORN HONKS)
Oh, my mom is here,
so I'm going to leave you.
(GROANS)
Oh, let me help you.
Thank you. Thank you.
Yeah, I'll just take that.
Yeah.
Thank you. Okay bye.
I'll see you later.
Bye. Oh, feel better.
ARI:
Thanks. Thank you.
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
This crutch is so much.
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
Is that Elena?
She's too pretty for me, mom.
No, it's just Menzo.
The cast is going to
come up next week,
and then it's on to therapy,
and then you go back to
being your old pain in the butt.
(CHUCKLES)
By the way, there's a letter.
Actually two letters of Dante
waiting for you at home.
And also, your father wants you
to take a look at something.
Happy birthday, Mijo.
(LAUGHING)
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
Do you like it?
I think I'll take
one of those lowriders instead.
Over my dead body.
How?
We save a little
and your dad picks some things.
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
We Mexicans
are good at that, eh?
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
(CHUCKLES)
()
DANTE:
Dear Ari, how's your leg?
Okay.
I really am sort of
in love with Chicago.
I ride the L sometimes,
make up stories in my
head about the people.
There are more black
people here than in El Paso,
and I like that.
There are lots of Irish
and Eastern European types,
and of course
there are Mexicans.
Mexicans are everywhere.
We're like sparrows.
You know, I still don't really
know if I'm a Mexican.
I don't think I am.
What am I, Ari?
I have some friends. They're
okay.
P.S. I cut my hair.
It's better for swimming.
Always your friend, Dante.
()
ARI:
Dear Dante,
sorry I haven't written.
I can walk like normal now
just so you won't feel
guilty anymore, okay?
That's enough about
that particular topic.
I have a new dog.
Her name is Legs
because I found her
the day I got my legs back.
She followed me home
from the park.
My mom was happy about it.
She doesn't think
I have any friends.
That's sort of true.
But I'm not good at
making friends.
I'm okay with that.
FATHER:
Step on the clutch.
First gear, and now slowly
release the clutch, okay?
Gears.
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey,
hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
It's okay, it's okay,
it's okay, it's okay.
Don't worry. Let's try again.
ARI:
Guess what?
I got a 1957 Chevy pickup
for my birthday.
A real Mexican truck.
Dad gave me my
first driving lesson.
I can't help but wonder
if my dad ever taught
Bernardo how to drive.
But everyone gets mad
when I ask about my brother.
Maybe keeping things inside
is just the way it has to be.
We all fight our own
private wars.
If I don't write as many letters
as you do, don't be upset.
I'm doing the best
I can, okay?
I'm not doing that
to upset you.
I want other people
to tell me how they feel,
but I'm not so sure
I want to return the favor.
Your friend, Ari.
DANTE:
Ari, do you masturbate?
I'm thinking you think
that's a funny question,
but it's a very
serious question.
I mean, you're pretty normal.
At least you're
more normal than me.
So maybe you masturbate.
MAN:
Yo, what's good, Ari?
Hey, man, how you doing?
MAN:
You good?
Yeah.
MAN:
All right.
MAN 2:
Hey, Ari. What's up, man?
I'll see you inside, all right?
Yeah.
There you go.
How old are you?
How old are you?
Thank you.
Thanks.
Hey, wait, wait, wait.
Be safe.
MAN OVER RADIO:
I miss you, Rosa.
You know, you can forgive me
and we can be together again
soon.
Oh, heartbreak, Rosa,
if you're listening,
give Julio a call.
He needs your love.
Nothing like the power of love,
especially on nights
like tonight.
Keep loving, El Paso.
Keep loving.
And your body don't dance
on the edge of the dark
We got the rain
I love you, Legs.
Yeah, I do.
It's getting pretty cold.
And it feels like love
And it's all that we've got
As a heartbreak beat
playing all night long
DANTE:
Dear Ari, I went to a party.
There were so many
people there.
Somehow, I found myself
talking to this girl.
Her name was Emma.
She was smart and beautiful,
and she said
she loved my name.
And all of a sudden,
she leans in and kisses me.
I guess you could say
I kissed her back.
She tasted like
mint and cigarettes,
and it was-
Well, it was nice.
We kissed a long time.
She told me
I was beautiful.
No one has ever
told me I was beautiful.
I'm still thinking
about that kiss.
And the world don't stop
Everytime that you fall
As a heartbreak beat
playing all night long
Down on my screen
And it feels like love...
DANTE:
I'm not sure about all this.
The truth is, I miss El Paso.
I think about it all the time.
And I think of you.
Yours, Dante.
MAN OVER RADIO:
It's getting cold out there.
Nothing like an El Paso night.
Don't forget to say I love you
before it's too late.
()
DANTE:
Dear Ari,
I have this picture
in my head of you
lying on the bed
of your pickup,
looking up at all the stars.
I have this sketch
in my head.
(CHUCKLES)
DANTE:
Merry Christmas, Ari.
Dante.
(INDISTINCT LYRICS)
()
MAN OVER RADIO:
Happy New Year, El Paso.
It's almost 1988.
Wow, how time flies.
Wishing you
all the best year ever.
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)
Hey, Ari, what's up, man?
Hey, you are big.
Shit.
Last time I saw you,
you were...
Looking good, buddy.
Hey, you got any girlfriends?
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
GIRL:
Look at you.
My born-too-late little
brother's got a job, huh?
Yeah.
Yeah, good job. Looking so cute.
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
Hi, Ari.
Most beautiful boy
in the universe.
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
Wait, don't leave yet.
I've got a little something
for you.
Little brother,
you're looking handsome.
No, take this.
For the road.
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
Happy New Year.
Happy New Year.
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
Come on, happy New Year.
Hey, how is your friend Dante?
He's fine. He's in Chicago.
Just a little something for you.
I love you.
I'm happy to see
that you're okay.
Anything you need.
I love you.
You're getting old.
STAFF 1:
Hey, guys,
let's clean up fast
so we can get out
of here and party.
STAFF 2:
Hey, pack it up. You guys, you
got one hour. That's it.
STAFF 3:
Oh, man, I'll get more.
Oh, yeah.
STAFF 1:
All right.
STAFF 3:
Two extra fries.
Two Extra fries.
STAFF 1:
Hey, I need a milkshake.
(ARI SINGS THE SONG ON RADIO)
STAFF:
Happy New Year.
What can I get you?
GINA:
Yes, can I get two
vanilla milkshakes,
a burger and fries?
Gina!
So, you two going out
with each other or something?
What is it?
Party in our car,
you asshole.
You almost done?
I got to clean up
before I get off.
We came to invite you
to a party.
Party? I'm good.
Thanks, though.
There's beer.
And girls you might
want to kiss.
Maybe.
GINA:
No maybes. Come on, loosen up.
Yeah, fuck it. Let's party. I'll
see you later, right?
Yes, Ari.
DANTE:
Dear Ari...
this girl who I've been fooling
around with finally said to me,
"Dante, I think that
when you kiss me,
you're kissing someone else."
And she asked
a very interesting
and forward question.
"Are you kissing another girl?
Or are you kissing a boy?"
Ari!
Come on, get a drink, grumpy.
()
DANTE:
Ari, the thing is,
I love my dad.
My mom, too,
And I keep wondering
what they're going to say
when I tell them that
someday I want to marry a boy.
Wow.
Look at you.
So, it's New Year's.
Happy New Year's.
Yeah, happy New Year's.
DANTE:
I'm the only son.
I hate that I'm going to
disappoint them.
I have a little speech.
It starts something like this.
Dad, I have something
to say to you.
I like boys.
Don't hate me.
Please don't hate me.
I got to go.
I have a boyfriend.
So, why'd you kiss me?
Because you're good looking.
That's the only reason.
And you're nice.
Okay.
Look, he's in a gang, okay?
And trust me,
if he knew about you,
something bad would happen.
I'm not afraid.
Well, you should be.
What if you just
like broke up with him?
It's not that easy.
Ari, you're a good boy.
You know, that sucks, right?
I don't want to be a good boy.
You don't need to be mad.
Don't tell me to not be mad.
Why'd you kiss me?
Huh?
Why did you kiss me?
I shouldn't have.
I'm sorry.
No, come--
Hey, I saw that.
So fucking what, Gina?
()
DANTE:
I don't want you to
hate me either, Ari.
But I think you're wrong.
I don't think
keeping things inside
is the way things have to be.
I can't stay trapped
in this secret anymore.
I want to be free.
I am scared of
what might happen.
But I want to be brave.
Brave like you.
()
()
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
Did something happen?
Tell me about Bernardo.
Tell me about my brother.
Ari.
Ari.
Ari, please.
This is not the time, baby.
Can we wait?
No.
This is a picture of
your father and Bernardo.
And this is Bernardo.
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
Just before he got arrested.
I'm sorry.
Just sometimes in life,
some things are just
hard to look at.
So you don't look.
Your brother, Bernardo,
he killed someone
with his bare hands.
I never said that before.
Take this.
It's for you.
It has everything.
Keep it.
()
()
DANTE:
Is everything okay?
ARI:
I asked them.
I asked them about my brother.
DANTE:
Oh.
He was just 15.
Looking for trouble,
so he picked up a prostitute.
The prostitute was
a trans, trans.
DANTE:
Yeah, I know what you mean.
()
My brother went ballistic
and killed her
with his bare hands.
Oh, God.
Do you feel better?
You know, knowing the truth?
I understand why my
parents kept it a secret.
I thought that knowing
would make me feel better.
It doesn't.
MAN OVER RADIO:
It's summer again, El Paso.
And hey, if you're feeling
a little too hot
or a little anal-hovel,
drink a little water
and remember to take
a little time to relax.
It's 40 minutes.
Dangerous too cute
To feeble to let go
And you want to
buy her things
Should've stopped her
long ago
Go, go now
(INDISTINCT LYRICS)
GINA:
Hey.
Hey.
GINA:
There's something
different about you.
I like it.
Thank you.
That's like the nicest thing
you ever said to me.
How are you celebrating
the beginning of summer?
Oh, grilling more burgers.
I'm just working.
How about you?
Party or something?
Of course.
(CHUCKLES)
Later.
()
Look at you.
You look like Che Guevara
without the mustache.
And who's this?
This is Legs.
Hi. It's so nice to meet you.
You're so cute.
(CHUCKLES)
You look different.
Oh, dad's old weights.
You look shorter.
But your hair makes
you look taller.
Definitely not shorter.
Whatever.
Come here.
I missed you so much,
Armentosa.
Aristotle, come here, my boy.
There he is.
Look how big he is.
Oh, my gosh.
Move, move, let me get in.
Look at your truck.
Look at that.
Wow.
Oh, honey.
I know you're eventually
going to let Dante drive.
Will you just promise
me to be careful?
Uh, I won't.
What? Now I'm going to have two
moms worrying about me, huh?
Yes, yes, you are
part of this family,
so you might
as well stop lighting it.
Okay, it's official.
I'm trading my
station wagon for this, okay?
I'm not getting that.
(THUNDER RUMBLES)
Legs', come on, girl.
What is she eating?
She's a dog. She just eats
anything.
She's crazy.
Crazy girl.
Are there going to be
rules for us?
Rules?
You know what
I'm talking about.
Ahh.
I guess so.
Yeah, huh...
I don't kiss boys.
Okay.
Then I have a rule for you.
No running away.
When someone says to you,
why are you hanging out
with that queer,
if you can't stick by me,
it would kill me.
I missed it here.
Next time we need
to go camping again,
I'll bring my telescope.
Yeah, good idea.
Good idea.
(DOG WHINES)
I love Legs.
She loves you. Yeah.
(WIND BLOWING)
Oh, man.
It's going to rain.
Yeah, let's go to the truck.
Come on, girl.
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
(LIGHTNING CRACKS)
I brought you a surprise.
()
The city taught me
how to roll the joint.
()
Do you ever feel like
the longer than rain...
()
Let's go out there.
()
()
()
Okay, I guess I'll see you
around or whatever.
I was thinking about
the kissing thing.
I mean, how do you know that
you don't like kissing boys
if you've never kissed a boy?
I think you just know.
Well, have you ever?
No.
Have you?
No.
I think we should
try an experiment.
No.
You're my best friend, right?
Yes, but regretting it now.
Listen, it's just a kiss
and then we'll both know.
Dante.
Please.
Turn to me.
Turn to me.
Shit.
Close your eyes.
Really?
Yes, close your eyes.
Well?
Didn't work for me.
Nothing?
Get out.
But.
Can you get out of my car?
You're fucking disgusting.
Can you please get out
of my fucking car?
I'm sorry?
Get the fuck out of my car.
Come on. Move. Come on.
I don't fucking believe you.
ARI:
Go, go, go.
Get the fuck out.
Should I open the door?
()
()
NEWS REPORTER:
As demonstrators were demand
more money
they brought rush hour traffic
to a standstill.
Didn't think you'd work
on Saturdays?
I'm covering for someone.
MOTHER:
Well, that's decent of you.
I'm getting paid. It's not like
it's free.
REPORTER ON TV:
Then just after eight,
arrests began.
(CROWD CHANTING)
()
()
()
()
FATHER:
Ari.
Your Tia passed away.
We're going to her house
for the funeral.
Your mother left earlier today.
We're meeting her there.
They-
The Quintanos are nice enough
to watch the house for us.
We'll have to make
arrangements at work.
I'm sorry, Dad.
I'm sorry
I'm so angry sometimes, just...
Sometimes I have these things--
they're right inside of me.
Like feelings.
I don't know
what to do with them.
Probably, it doesn't
make any sense.
It sounds normal.
I don't think
I'm so normal, dad.
Maybe if we talk more.
Which one of us
is better with words, Dad.
Well-
We're talking now, aren't we?
Yeah.
We're talking now.
Yeah.
Why didn't they come?
My aunts and uncles?
To the funeral?
They didn't approve of her.
()
She lived with another
woman for many years.
They were lovers.
Does that bother you?
No.
I remember her, yeah.
Franny, right?
She had green eyes.
And she sure did love to sing.
Yeah, she was bad.
FATHER:
To your Tia.
()
()
ARI:
What are you doing?
Ari.
ARI:
What's wrong?
Dante.
No, don't.
Don't say anything, okay?
I'm here.
I'm sorry. I should have been
here. I'm sorry.
Sorry.
My Tia,
she left me the house.
So I was thinking,
once you start feeling better,
if you want to,
we can go and hang out
there sometime.
He's going to be okay.
Yes, yes, yes,
he's going to be okay.
Come with me, sweetheart.
Ari, honey, you're always going
to be his friend, right?
Always.
No matter what.
There was this old lady
who saw everything
and she called the police.
Dante was kissing
a boy in the alley
and some other boys were
walking by and saw them.
They hurt my baby.
(SOBBING)
It's hard,
and I think we're both just
a little bit lost right now.
I'm sorry.
What happened to the other guy?
Daniel, he ran.
Dante didn't.
I don't know why
Dante didn't run.
I don't know why
he didn't just run.
He would be okay
if he just ran.
Because he's Dante.
Ari, honey, where are you going?
I'm Ari, Dante's friend.
I know.
I think you should take a break.
I don't think-
I'm going to wait
for you outside, right?
I'm going to wait
for exactly five minutes
and if you're not outside
in five minutes,
I'm going to come back inside
and I'm going to
kick your fucking ass.
You got that, Daniel?
Dante's in the hospital.
Oh.
Don't you have anything
else to say, you asshole?
I don't know what you're-
Don't fuck with me, man.
Look, you're not
going to tell anyone
about me and Dante.
Dante's in the hospital
and the only thing
you're worried about
is me not telling anybody.
Who were they?
They were four guys.
Okay, what name?
Julian.
Enrique? Who else?
Joe Montala.
Who else?
I don't know the other two.
I swear to God, I don't know.
So you just left him there,
right?
DANIEL:
He wouldn't run.
I don't care. You didn't even go
back. Okay?
He wouldn't run.
Stop it.
You don't fucking care at all.
()
Julian.
()
What's up, Ari?
Nothing.
Is your truck?
Yeah.
Nice wheels.
()
Got some stuff
going on right now.
Why don't you bring them back?
I'll take it for a spin.
()
(ARI SCREAMS)
(BANGING)
(HEAVY BREATHING)
(GRUNTING)
(SCREAMING)
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
()
MOTHER:
Ari.
Ari, stop.
(SPEAKS SPANISH)
They hurt him, all right?
Okay, he's lying in a fucking
hospital bed right now.
I can't do a single
thing about it, all right?
Because he just left him
in an alleyway
like he was nothing.
Like he was a piece of trash,
like he was just some shit on-
Nothing, all right?
But he's not.
I understand.
I'm here for you.
You need to sit down.
You have to sit down.
FATHER:
Ari, Ari, Mr. Rodriguez called.
I've been looking for you.
MOTHER:
He's okay, he's okay.
Is he okay? Sure?
I'm f--
I'm fucked up, mom.
No.
Yes, I am, okay?
So, and, and I-
I'm just like him, all right?
I'm probably--
I'm probably worse than him.
So I think we should just,
you know,
get it out of the away, right?
I don't-- I don't mean to
disappoint you.
Ari.
I promise.
You do not disappoint me.
You.
You hold us together.
But Ari,
you have to stop running.
From what?
You and Dante.
Dante loves you, Ari.
No. No. No. Why?
Why are you saying that?
FATHER:
I think you love him
more than you can bear.
I can't stand watching
the loneliness inside you.
I can't stand it.
I love you.
I see you, amigo.
I see you.
()
I'm ashamed.
Ashamed?
Ashamed of what?
Of loving Dante?
You should be proud.
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RADIO:
Non-stop music. Hello--
ARI:
You want me to
put on a cassette?
No.
ARI:
No?
Okay.
I love it here.
I love these things, too.
You love a lot of things,
don't you?
You sound mad.
I think I am mad.
I can't do this.
Can't do what?
The whole friend thing.
I can't do it.
Why not?
I have to explain it to you?
Dante, hey.
Hey, Dante, come on.
I don't like
when you touch me.
Dante.
What?
Don't be mad.
I don't know
what to do anymore, Ari?
(WIND BLOWING)
Dante.
That time
you kissed me?
Yeah.
Remember, that time I didn't.
Why are you bringing this up?
I remember.
I remember.
Do you think I've forgotten?
I don't want to
talk about that.
It makes me feel bad.
Dante, what did I say
when you kissed me?
You said it didn't work for you.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
I lied to you.
()
That's not true, alright?
It's you.
That's what I'm afraid of.
I'm afraid of you.
()
()
I'm not going to be afraid
of loving Dante Quintana.
()
()
()
()
ARI:
Sometimes you can discover
the secrets of the universe
in someone's hand.
No light pollution.
No light pollution.
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