Krámpack

Nico travels from Barcelona to visit his friend Dani at his summer home. Dani's parents are away. The two teenagers, like all teenage boys share their interest in the physical aspects of sex. Dani becomes more than casually curious with regard to his friend, Nico. Nico does not quite get the picture, nor does Dani for that matter. Dani becomes displeased with Nico's persistent attempts to seduce a girl. The outcome of this summer experience is that both boys discover something about their own particular erotic inclinations. Nico's straight preference is unmoved by Dani's obvious physical desire and attraction to him. Dani confirms his own preference for other males in a kind of "half way" encounter with an attractive young male friend of his father. Nico returns to Barcelona. The two part as friends, their friendship apparently unaffected by their different sexual preferences. This film is warm and entertaining and a sensitive and respectful meditation on human sexuality and human development. In all honesty, I cannot agree with those who compare this film to "Beautiful Thing." In "Nico and Dani" there is no pathos, just experience. There is no real sadness or depression, just a normal struggle to find one's own self. That is the happy ending of Nico and Dani. They part as friends, each having discovered, without ambivalence, their true sexual selves.

I selected this as Blockbuster was closing -- just a title in the Foreign Films section. I had no idea what the movie was about so it was a constant surprise from beginning to end. What a good movie! If you have read the other reviews, you know what the story is about. The best part, to me, was their last day together. They both realized that they were on different tracks in life, but they also realized that they were good friends and that they would remain good friends. When Nico told Dani "have your dad sell me this motorcycle," you knew that Nico wanted to continue the friendship -- there was never any question that Dani wanted to continue. So, for me, that was the best part. Sex comes and goes, but friendship can last a lifetime. This was a very gentle movie with a good ending. -- from Bob in Oklahoma

I completely missed the boat on this one - KRAMPACK (a.k.a. NICO & DANI) is an excellent film. To temporarily ditch any pretense of objectivity, this was very nostalgic - my adolescence was a good bit more modest, but the experiences and conversations (even the summertime setting) at many points through this film hit close to home. I won't rehash the plot, which is well-covered by previous reviewers here, but I will say that the film really gets the mix of unease and anticipation right in depicting the evolving relationship between Nico & Dani. On this front, it's a five-star gay-themed drama.

The performances are quite expressive and naturalistic - no movie-of-the-week feelgood speeches appear here, and none are needed. The slightest changes in expression (contrast Nico's responses to Dani through the first 2/3 of the film, to his responses during the last 20 minutes or so) convey great warmth and understanding, giving him the ability to reaffirm his friendship with Dani (in a 'positive' statement greater than any speech) even as they both understand by film's end that the dynamic of their friendship won't ever be quite the same.

On this note the film does have something to offer anyone - it's universal without getting saccharine, and deeply committed to the humanity of its' characters. There aren't any complex philosophical or political undercurrents here, but none are needed - the respect and graceful treatment afforded to two ultimately different characters are more than adequate. A fine flick.

This delightful film, which the Spanish seem to excel at making, just looks at a section of life of two teenage boys sharing a summer together. Good friends, they are at an age where their hormones dictate what they are doing and Nico, who thinks he's much more macho and attractive than he is, wants to lose his virginity before he reaches 17. Very cute Dani likes his friend's company and like many teenage boys discovering their sexuality, these two masturbate each other when female company is lacking. However, two girls Elena and Berta turn up at the beautiful little coastal town and Nico's interest is piqued. Dani, who feels a deep attraction for his friend wants to spend more time with Nico and resents the interference of the girls presence. It's a summer of learning and acceptance for him that he is gay. The acting is superb, so natural and human. Many European films capture this humanity that American films find it difficult to do, because the latter are generally ruled by making money, not for the art form. In Nico and Dani no judgments are ever made, no sensitivities hidden or prejudices espoused, just the sincere and objective exploration of the human condition shown as natural as it occurs in life. People are people, not ridiculous super-heroes in contrived situations. There is also a maturity in European films, with excellent acting that draws you to believe these things are really happening, and the audience is expected to be a mature one too. It's a fresh, happy little film, well photographed and the subject matter intelligently handled. I recommend it.

The really attractive aspect of this movie is the sympathy for all the characters, not just the two boys who form the mainspring of the action. This covers familiar territory - adolescent growing pains, sexuality, friendships, etc - without once being condescending. I showed to this to a Thai friend and his comment was simply, 'this is a true story. it happens to so many boys in Thailand" Not just in Thailand I might add. The film is fluent, unsensational and quite superbly acted in a very naturalistic style. It is more explicit than the not dissimilar Amice Per la Pelle (Friends for Life) from Italy, but in a similar league. I won't bother with the details of the story since many reviews cover them: but the person who found it offensive and only about sex must have seen another movie. This is a film about growing up, about real relationships boasting super locations, tender moments, a few amusing ones and above all no false emotions. BB