User reviews

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.

Teen age sexual awakening is at the center of "Krampack". This tremendously frank account of a summer in the lives of two friends who are spending their summer vacation in the home of one of them in Spain. The film proves to be a winner because it presents a situation from the point of view of the young men, instead of from judgmental adults.

Gay Cesc, the Catalan film director, made a good movie about how sex plays a key part in the lives of the two young school mates. The film is made even better by the no-nonsense approach Mr. Cesc gives the film.

Fernando Ramallo is Dani and Jordi Vilches is Nico. While Nico wants it to be the summer where he loses his virginity, Dani has problems of his own as he discovers that he is attracted to men and has to struggle with his new discovery. Both these young actors are totally believable, giving excellent performances, wisely shaped by Mr. Cesc's direction.

This is a refreshing look at a thorny issue, which the director handles with total frankness.

The film is just a story, but it's very, very good storytelling, and I'd be hard-pressed to explain why it's so good. It has to do partly with the fact that at first we think we know right where it's going, and that the worth will be in how it gets there -- we're amused by Nico's interest in girls, he's obviously gay (right?). What makes the Dani and Nico characters so believable is in the handling of the material, and the very smart decision to not really define anything. It's very realistic about the first sex between boys, and how it so often has to do with sex games (here, masturbation tips).

Before we have a clearer handle on the (differing) sexuality of the two characters, their sex seems to play like this: they see girls, they get aroused, and they take out their sexual frustration on each other. And that works because of the two characters' subtle manner -- Dani's creepy preening, Nico's goofy charm, and how at first it's Nico who seems to be the most "gay" of the two boys, simply because he has precise features and is abnormally skinny. (Like "Edge of Seventeen" or "Beautiful Thing," two of the best gay self-discovery films, the boys here look real.) The emotions, and the past histories of the characters -- like the man whose house Dani goes to, or the woman who, too, had a special girl friend when she was young -- are kept appropriately inexact.

Aside from the talent at passing along this story, there is also a nice feel the film has -- something like a cross between the accessibility of a Western and the human interest of Ingmar Bergman... It's like a funky road trip, with that harmonica music and the very apt photography, as well as the suggestive intertitles of dialogue that will occur later in the film. A comparison between this and "Y tu Mama Tambien," of the following year, would not be in vain. 8/10

I loved this movie - saw it at the Toronto Film Festival - very sweet story about two teenage boys who frequently engage in "Krampack" which is apparently Spanish slang for masturbation. Everything is tastefully done, and the direction, acting and script are first-rate - I really appreciated this film's frankness in depicting its subject matter and not shying away from teenage sex, or use of drugs, drinking, etc. This is how teenagers behave - not some sanitized and artificial version as typically portrayed in most mainstream American c**p. God forbid, some teenage boys actually engage in homosexual experimentation. The main character Dani, very cute by the way, develops a much deeper affection for his friend, Nico, on a summer visit when the parents are away - every night they engage in masturbating each other, growing in intimacy every night. But Nico's affections are directed toward a girl living nearby, and Dani becomes understandably jealous and much conflict and tension ensue. I can't say enough about the quality of the young performances and the writing. Hats off to Cesc Gay, the director, for sticking to his guns and producing this wonderful film about the real sexual tensions that can frequently occur between teenage boys (and girls) when they're being honest with each other. Loved it!

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.

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

Krámpack supposedly means mutual masturbation, so it goes without saying that the U.S. theatrical release would be retitled with the names of the two best friends who shamelessly do so. That said, the film is SO far removed from the typical American teen fare, like American Pie, that the unusual degree of friendship between the two boys is but a small part of the overall European-ness of the film.

The boys have known each other since grade school but are now just past puberty, and their minds are filled with sex, Nico obsessing about his Adam's Apple and his need to lose his virginity, and Dani entranced by his best friend. Dani is just plain sexy, and he knows it. At first it seems like a collision course, but as might be true for the adolescents they are, they start and end as friends. Both learn that they can be the objects of sexual desire -- and the comfort that this brings to a teenager -- but that their sexual paths are diverging.

The movie is well written and achingly sincere, more so than Trick or Get Real, both of which had a Fairy Tale (pardon the pun) quality about them. This film lies closer to the French films Wild Reeds and Full Speed than these. In Nico and Dani the passion seems real, and there is sour with the sweet.

The Spanish seacoast location is gorgeous, as are the characters, who are hardly stereotypes for the most part. The two guys are believable as 16-year-olds (even though about 20). For this reason my rating is a 9, well above the 7+ average rating that is current.

For all intents and purposes, Cesc Gay was a new director when this film came out. He manages to write and direct a film that is sensitive and daring in it's treatment of teenage sexuality. He has since written and director other films that have been recognized for their excellence.

This was a first film for Jordi Vilches, who was outstanding as Nico.

The basic story is that two friends are spending some time together while Dani's )Fernando Ramallo) parents are away. They explore their sexuality, and they grow apart as they find they have different interests.

You would never find a film this touching available to American teens. The ratings board would prefer they concentrate on fart jokes rather then an exploration of sexuality. There are a lot of questions here, and some things are wrong (date rape), but there are also no neat endings like you would expect in an American movie. That is how life is.

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.

Krampack is a straightforward depiction of the sexual experiences, and personal friendship, of two Spanish boys. The young actors do well (though the supporting cast is less strong), and real, human characters are depicted without resource to cliche or over-hyped melodrama. But somehow the film lacks a bit of zim. There is a plot, but there's little change in the mood of the piece as it develops, the film beings engagingly but fails to subsequently raise our involvement. The odd separation of the work into 'chapters', interspersed by funny quotes taken from the subsequent action, is also a wholly unnecessary device in a story that is not at all episodic, and doesn't help the film attain climax (no pun intended). Still, there are also many positives in this film - it's humourous, unmoralistic, and fundamentally optimistic too. With a little more drive it could have been great.

This movie shows a too simple story about friendship between two youngsters, one of them a homosexual. It´s a very boring movie a the dialogues are nothing but awful and non dramatics. Just another movie from Spain where nothing happens. Too art for few ideas

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

Two under-age Spanish youths spend a week's summer vacation together, while the host youth's parents are away on a trip. The youths do things that some kids this age would do.

There are no special obstacles to overcome, nor do the youths have any clearly set goals to accomplish. There's just a lot of talking, going out with girls, sunning on the beach, and experimenting with drugs and amorous exploits.

It's all rather harmless fun, until one youth decides to spike drinks at their party and take advantage of a female guest while she's under the influence. But she recovers, and the slight story ends with the visiting youth returning back home.

There is a strange air of indifference to the direction and script, leaving the viewer longing to have had a bit more involvement in these youthful hero's plights. One also would have appreciated a much more clearly defined objective than merely showing a brief "slice of life."

What did these boys learn during these ten days together? That their amorous inclinations may be moving in different directions as they develop their respective natures?

It may be a small-scaled awareness depicted here, yet interest is maintained by the honest depiction of youthful unfoldment. Fernando Ramallo as Dani and Jordi Vitches as Nico give competent performances.

"Nico and Dani" is as true as a film on adolescence and sexual awakening can get. A key is that the title characters are not sleazy party animals, taking advantage of women and not thinking twice about it (seen more times than one in American teen comedies that are driven by zero morals)...they are not jock-ey savage pigs, but sensitive and confused. Without guidance, reasoning is tough for them...especially because they are searching for who they really are, and this entails coming to terms with their sexuality. The film takes place over a long, blurry muddle of a summer with many wonderful (as well as dark) moments of self-discovery. Dani is left alone for his vacation minusing a sexually frustrated cook/caretaker. He invites a longtime friend named Nico, who is sprightly and refreshing...but also very much in a perplexing state of identity awareness. He tries on homosexuality with Dani, but leans toward the other side when he meets the a great summer girl who he becomes fascinated with. This provokes Dani's envy and sadness and their friendship is tested when he realizes he is gay. Like even the best of summers, ones sexual awakening has its share of fond and bad memories. It is a time to cherish and learn from, although there is pain as well as hapiness...rain as well as sunshine. And the girls of summer always become that distant memory of something special, but left behind for good reasons as well as bad.

I have been studying Spanish for six years (two at the college level) and I was just blown away by the storyline of Nino and Dani. The Spanish accent (particularly that of Barcelona) is entirely fascinating to me. I caught myself rewinding certain parts over and over to clarify what the actors has said. It was brilliantly acted by all concerned. The filmmaker really caught the essence of a Spanish summer and made me long to go to Barcelona and ride my bike down to the beach. He did an amazing job of capturing the carefree feeling of summer for children, when they aren't worrying too much about the future, but rather enjoying the present.

Every time I see this movie I discover something. There is a great script, great performances and great directing plays. This movie is about the summer of two teenagers that change his life for ever. Two boys, two girls, one writer and his friends are the characters of the film. There are certain hints that will show how the movie is developing until the end. The ending is great, the movie has parts of good inteligence. Take a minute and think of every aspect, every detail. Some people may think this is a gay movie. I don't think so. If you look all through the movie you will say... may be, may be not. I haven't mentioned that this movie is based on a play by Jordi Sanchez, it is divided into acts and this is very original in my opinion. Well, Fernando Ramallo and Jordi Vilches are the boys. Their performances are great. The girls characters are very well two. Chisco Amado is the writer and is a key character due to the fact that something will happen with him and Dani (Ramallo), and that is seen due to a phrase. There are unforgetable phrases. When Nico says: I must have sex before 17. Superb. Incredible. Enjoy.

Two best friends spend the summer of their 16th year together at a beach house. Dani has realized that he has gay feelings, and this is the summer he will sort out his orientation. Nico is quite happy to play along with Dani. The "Krámpak" in the title is Spanish for mutual masturbation.

But their adolescent fumbling has different meanings for each boy. Dani has much deeper feelings for his pal than Nico seems to reciprocate. Dani knows he's gay, but is Nico gay?

This dichotomy is classic for boys at that age. Many boys engage in play with another boy, some discard it after a while, and others decide that this is their life choice.

The acting is a little wooden in this movie. However given the controversial theme of the script this is not hard to forgive. Both boys are good actors playing your typical adolescents with a sexual twist.

There is no heavy trauma in this movie. The ending will surprise the viewer. Not too many movies have treated adolescent gay sex in so positive a light. Three cheers for that! It is now the start of the new millennium - it's OK for boys to be gay. Yet in being gay there are still the difficulties in any relationship that all teenagers have to grapple with. And the real strength of this movie shows that even when two boys are ready to play, the course of true love is not easy.

I adore this film. Best depiction of the concerns of teenage boys to come down the pike in years.

Nico is straight and Dani is gay. This film shows their summer together in which each of them grows up. It is lovely to see how their friendship remains strong at the end of their summer together, having learned how to deal with each other, and seeing that in spite of one liking girls and the other liking boys, they are still the same kids they always were... and the friendship carries on. A triumph of filmmaking... brilliant, not insulting to one's intelligence, and amazingly real and beautiful. It will make you feel good.

Krampack tells the story of Nico and Dani, two 17 year old teens. Nico stays with Dani cause his parents are on holiday. Together they want to do stuff, but two girls interfer. Nico is playing the playboy but like a very unsure insecure teen of course. Dani doesn't like the coupling, you will find out when you see the movie. The two boys discover their sexuality and like every boy growing up they struggle with it. The two Spanish boys put on a great performance. I very much liked this movie and wished i saw it sooner. I think it is a must view for all teens around the globe, and i am sure everyone finds something recognizable. Try to see it! :)

The story takes place in a small coastal town near Barcelona. Dani's parents leave for a trip to Egypt...he stays behind to continue his tutoring and to welcome his good friend Nico for a summer visit. They're both late high school age, and we find out very soon that Dani is sexually and emotionally interested in Nico. The movie explores Dani's growing awareness of his sexuality, how Nico responds to this new element in their relationship while furthering his own sexual awareness with young women, and how another person, Julian, enters Dani's world inadvertently and helps him level out somewhat (with the help of his good friend Sonia).

It tells a story about gay and straight sexual coming out in a way that combines very serious, very dark undercurrents of passion and emotion with lighthearted and very playful aspects to the relationships between all the characters. The adults are also interesting in their own right, and seem very wise in the way they assist the kids.

The expressions of sexuality are explicit, yet the portrayal is understated, if not quite subtle. The question of boundaries, of limits, is there all the time as everyone discovers the extent to which they are willing to go, or to allow others to go, in the pursuit of fulfillment.

I saw this film at the Hamburg Film Fest & was struck by it's sensitivity, courage & honesty. This is cinema "real" at it's finest; a slice of life. It is no wonder it was awarded the festival's Tesa Award. It was well deserved.

Krámpack has to be the best movie that I have ever seen. When I was in Spain this summer, I went to a theater in Madrid, and I saw a poster for it. I thought it looked like a stupid movie, but after I saw it I realized thaat I had been wrong. It's actually very good. It is about homosexuality in modern times, and after I had seen it, I think that society needs new laws that support gay rights, and allow gays to live together with the rest of society without predjudice.