Nico and Dani (2001) Fernando Ramallo, Jordi Vilches, Marieta Orozco, Esther Nubiola, Chisco Amado, Ana Gracia, Myriam Mezieres. Screenplay by Cesc Gay and Tomas Aragay, based on the play "Krampack" by Jordi Sanchez. Directed by Cesc Gay. 90 minutes. No MPAA rating, 3.5 stars (out of five stars)
Review by Ed Johnson-Ott, NUVO Newsweekly www.nuvo.com Archive reviews at http://us.imdb.com/ReviewsBy?Edward+Johnson-Ott To receive reviews by e-mail at no charge, send subscription requests to ejohnsonott@prodigy.net or e-mail ejohnsonott-subscribe@onelist.com with the word "subscribe" in the subject line.
"Nico and Dani" is a little film, focusing on a few days in the lives of two young male friends. The story turns on the fact that one of the boys is gay and in love with his straight friend and includes some modestly staged sex scenes between underage characters (the actors playing them are adults). But this is not an American movie, so the sexual exchanges and related issues are presented as matter-of-fact instead of scandalous. "Nico and Dani" works because it stays low-key. The filmmakers understand that, regardless of whether one's orientation is homo or hetero, once boys gets sex on their minds, they will do virtually anything to make it happen.
Adapted from the play "Krampack," the subtitled tale is set in a picturesque oceanside village near Barcelona, Spain. When Mom and Dad leave for a trip to Egypt, Dani (Fernando Ramallo) invites Nico (Jordi Vilches) to stay with him. The boys plan to hunt, fish and just hang out together, but that changes when they bump into two young ladies, Berta (Esther Nubiola) and Elena (Marieta Orozco).
Nico immediately clicks with Elena and Berta is attracted to Dani, but he only has eyes for Nico. While the boys have often traded hand jobs, Nico views the sessions as simply a means for sexual relief while on the road to traditional sex with a woman. After just a few meetings, Elena makes it clear to Nico that she is willing to help him realize his goal.
For Dani, the bedroom exchanges with Nico are the real thing and he wants to carry the relationship further. As Nico and Elena become closer, he grows increasingly frustrated. When his attempt to ruin the relationship by telling Elena that Nico is gay proves unsuccessful, Dani heads for the home of Julian (Chisco Amado), an adult writer and associate of his father. Even though Julian has a girlfriend, Dani senses an attraction and makes overtures to the man.
Back at the home front, Nico is experiencing his own confusion. While Elena consents to sex, she only wants a one-night stand and Nico desires more than that. To make matters worse, Dani is missing and he fears for the safety of his friend.
Nothing earthshaking happens in "Nico and Dani." No matter how the sexual politics work out, it is obvious that the boys will remain friends. And both of them are likable despite the fact that they commit some reprehensible acts, including serving narcotic-spiked drinks to the girls. Anyone who looks back at their own youth will surely remember the lousy things they said or did while trying to get laid. "Nico and Dani" is merely a slice of life, but it's a well-observed, wonderfully-acted slice of life that reminded me that, while adolescence is a nice place to visit, I wouldn't want to live there.
© 2001 Ed Johnson-Ott
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