Krámpack

Nico comes to Sitges to spend the summer with his pal Danì. They're 16, virgins and keen to do something about it while Danì's parents are away travelling for a fortnight. Elena and Berta are likely candidates, but in the meantime, Danì's more than happy to give his friend a helping hand when it comes to relieving certain impulses. (In case you were wondering, a 'krámpack' is a wank.) Nico doesn't think anything of it, and no one else is volunteering, but when his friend sticks his oar in just as he's getting somewhere with Elena, well, certain things fall into place. Based on a play by Jordi Sánchez (but not so as you'd notice), this is a likeable coming of age story that wrings comedy out of believable adolescent longings and confusions without pitching into farce. Writer/director Gay makes a virtue of this restraint, trusting his engaging young leads Ramallo and Vilches to hold our sympathy and interest. And so they do, even through an ill-fated attempt to lace the girls' sangria with Valium. It's such a sweetly judged movie, you may find yourself grateful for the lack of drama.