Review of Nico and Dani (2000) by Neil O — 26 Jun 2008

Highly intimate story told in a series of snapshots over a few days in the lives of two Spanish boys who are heading down different paths in life. Set in and around Catalonia, the charm of this film is that it doesn't turn into an American Pie style farce but continues its easygoing pace as the two boys' friendship bends.

The balance of humorous vs. more dramatic scenes alleviates the tension and by the end, there is just a happy feeling that everything is still fine and Nico and Dani will remain friends. Nobody dies, beats anyone up to prove how "macho" he is, catches a disease, has a huge, dramatic, cry-his-eyes-out scene or other predictable cliche.