Nico and Dani (Krámpack) (2000)

87% of critics liked it
(52 reviews)
68% of users liked it
(1,743 ratings)

In this Spanish coming-of-age drama, two teenage boys find their sexual awakening and liberty put to the test over the summer of 1999. Nico (Jordi Vilches) is a budding motorcycle mechanic who has been invited to stay for the season by his best friend Dani (Fernando Ramallo). Dani's parents have… More In this Spanish coming-of-age drama, two teenage boys find their sexual awakening and liberty put to the test over the summer of 1999. Nico (Jordi Vilches) is a budding motorcycle mechanic who has been invited to stay for the season by his best friend Dani (Fernando Ramallo). Dani's parents have left for an Egyptian vacation, leaving the two boys with the run of a summer home over the course of ten days. After bouts of smoking marijuana, eating junk food, and drinking, the boys emerge in innocent sexual games, including "krampack," a Spanish euphemism for "hand-job." After their self-involved sexual escapades, the two begin to forge a sexual relationship until two local girls, Elena (Marieta Orozco) and Berta (Esther Nubiola), enter their lives and begin to take an interest in them. Dani still pines for Nico, with whom he has fallen in love, but Nico only sees their sex play as fun and becomes more involved with the prospect of female attention. When jealousy starts to consume Dani, he finds solace in an older man, Julian (Chisco Amado), whom he sees as a potential rebound for his feelings toward Nico, even though his heart may still lie with his friend. Krampack is adapted from a Spanish play of the same name by acclaimed Barcelona native Cesc Gay. ~ Jason Clark, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Cesc Gay
Written By: Cesc Gay, Tomas Aragay
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 16, 2000 Wide
On DVD: Jan 8, 2002
Studio: Avatar Films

Critic Reviews

Peter Howell, Toronto Star
Filmmaker Gay nimbly navigates the raging waters of burgeoning sexuality.
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
For a movie that has been praised for its sensitive realism, Nico and Dani takes some large liberties.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Could be useful to a confused teenager, suggesting that we all have to choose our own paths in life.
Robert K. Elder, Chicago Tribune
Manages to be both joyful and unnerving in its unflinching portrayal of emerging sexuality.
Jay Carr, Boston Globe
Although films about adolescents stumbling urgently toward sexual self-identity are plentiful, most are put to shame by the delicacy, poignancy, and honesty of Nico and Dani.
Louis B. Parks, Houston Chronicle
The film seems unfocused at times, but on reflection, stands out as an unusually sensitive and honest view of teen sexuality, straight or gay.
Donald J. Levit, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
Rare handling of an emotional and important theme.
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews
...sexual scenes are all composed tastefully, and larger themes of sexuality and how it affects friendship override individual scenes
Ted Murphy, Baseline.Hollywood.com
"Nico and Dani" deals rather frankly with issues of teenage sexuality but the material is never presented in a salacious or leering manner ...

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Featured Audience Ratings

Robert C

An interesting "coming of age" story. Does I good job of showing the struggles of coming to terms with your sexuality. The struggle between exploring your true feelings and coming to terms with your feelings based on that exploration and simply doing what… More
An interesting "coming of age" story. Does I good job of showing the struggles of coming to terms with your sexuality. The struggle between exploring your true feelings and coming to terms with your feelings based on that exploration and simply doing what "society" expects of you to spite what you amy or may not be feeling. And more importantly it shows just how ridiculous it is to think that you have it all figured out based on one or two (early) experiences in life and how important it is to be open and honest with yourself and those who are close to you about what feels right for you. Sadly, the film ends on a rather flat and incomplete note - but for the most part it was rather touching. (No pun intended!)

Cast

Fernando Ramallo
as Dani
Jordi Vilches
as Nico
Marieta Orozco
as Elena

Esther Nubiola
as Berta
Chisco Amado
as Julian
Ana Garcia
as Sonia

See full cast

Nico and Dani (Krámpack) (2000)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Robert C

Cast

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