"First and foremost a work of queer expression, this is the kind of YA cinema kids deserve."—Drew Gregory, Autostraddle

"The film’s two charming leads have a chemistry that reminds the audience of the experience of first love."—Sara Clements, Pay or Wait

"A sweet coming-of-age story, grounded by its strong lead performances.”—Kristy Strouse, Film Inquiry

Join us for a special Cinema Salon screening of the film on Thursday, September 14 with a post-screening discussion with Senior Center member and former teacher Lynn Puritz-Fine.

Resentful at the world, 15-year-old Aristotle Mendoza wants to blend in and be left alone, but the summer he meets free spirit Dante Quintana at the local swimming pool, everything changes. Dante is everything Ari isn't, and his wanderlust for life and artistic spirit shake something loose in Ari; finally, he has a friend. A near magical being, Dante disrupts Aristotle's world, introducing him to music, poetry, and lessons about the sky. Dante gives Aristotle permission to live in an ever expansive universe, making it harder and harder for him to maintain the façade of isolation that has protected him for so long. Their summer of adventure comes to an abrupt halt when the boys are torn apart. Armed with a new perspective, Aristotle uses Dante's absence to understand who he wants to be in the world.