Sometimes, a storm is just a storm; other times, as in this subtitled German import, it is a meteorological event and a metaphor for the maelstrom of feelings, emotions, and impulses swirling inside a conflicted teen. Neither a landmark achievement, nor thematically original (coming of age stories date back to Cain & Abel), Summer Storm is, nonetheless, a compassionate and entertaining journey of self-acceptance and understanding.

Relying on sensitive storytelling, natural performances, a camera with a metaphorical lens, and sparse, cliché free dialogue, director Marco Kruezpaintner's bittersweet tale earns a place alongside two similar epics: Beautiful Thing (1996) and Edge of Seventeen (1998). Happily, Summer Storm 's PG-13 rating makes it accessible to those who will benefit most from seeing it: unsure gay teens straining for successful adulthood.

Over opening credits, we meet Bavarian best friends and rowing teammates Achim (Kostja Ullmann) and Tobi (Robert Stadlober) as they perform calisthenics on their way to practice. Tobi is both coxswain and clown for his Bavarian team. One of his practical jokes makes the boys late, and, as punishment, the coach orders them to clean the boat house.

Homoerotic horseplay ensues as the boys complete the chore. The roughhousing culminates in arousal, and, lying side by side, the youngsters' arousal finds release. Aloud, Achim fantasizes about women as he satisfies himself. Meanwhile, Tobi yearns for the best friend beside him.

The boys, their girlfriends Anke (Alicja Bachleda-Curus) and Sandra (Miriam Morgenstern), coach, and teammates prepare to leave for rowing camp and competition. The boys vow to win the trophy for their Starnberg Rowing Club. They're equally bent on losing their unwanted virginity to their big-breasted competitors from Berlin. Achim and Tobi's expect to lose theirs to Sandra and Anke.

But a virus fells the bosomy Berliners, and their team's place in the rowing competition has fallen to The Queerstrokes, a team of gay Berliners. Setting up their camp tents, the Bavarians lament the loss of loose women, and express discomfort with the homosexuals.

Increasingly, Achim shares intimacies and time with Sandra, and Tobi wonders if he resents Sandra because she is coming between his and Achim's friendship, or if he's jealous because his love for Achim is sexual. Concluding that he's far more interested in experimenting sexually with Achim than with Anke, Tobi pulls back from his girlfriend, leaving Anke confused and at loose ends.

It doesn't help relations between the Bavarians and the gay Berliners that Queerstroke's aggressive Oli (Ludwig Blochberger) is hell-bent on seducing rich homophobe Georg Schorschi (Tristano Casanova), whose father sponsors the Bavarian team. Tobi is simultaneously intrigued and intimidated by the gay team's apparent ease with their sexual orientation.

After a lake swim, Tobi tries to kiss Achim. The startled boy runs off the wharf, telling Tobi, “This is way too much for me!”

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