User reviews

Writer and director Nathan Buck takes us an a journey to the sunny south of Spain where events unfold that test the characters and force them to both confront their inner demons and reflect on their darkest hours. The tone is somber and quiet but the conflicts that are dealt with here aren't.

The beautiful landscape is photographed extremely well and counterbalances the tense situation between the protagonists.

This is a cut-to-the-bones drama that focuses on the characters and, thankfully, it has the actors to pull that difficult task of. Especially Philippe Brenninkmeyer, a well-known face to European TV-audiences, manages to convey the subtleties of the script in an admirable fashion.

If you're tired of loud Superhero movies and long to watch a story about our shared humanity, this is the place to go.

Nathan Buck's independent film "Under Spanish Skies" has a great deal going for it. The cinematography is excellent, the story concisely yet effectively told, and the plot and characters keep you engaged throughout. While not all performances are necessarily equal, the actors fit their roles well, and you do find yourself engrossed in their drama and wanting to know how it will all play out. The economy with which writer-director Buck tells his story is also commendable; at no point does it drag. As a viewer, you are invested in the sad souls whose intertwining stories are being told here, and you want to see how these stories will come to conclusion. Making an independent film is a murderously hard task, so major kudos to Buck and his team for making it look essentially effortless. And it's beautiful to look at, into the bargain.

Nathan Buck's masterfully shot "Under Spanish Skies" is rife with beautiful images of the Spanish landscape. The story reminds me of Hemingway's "Hill Like White Elephants." Similar to Hemingway's Iceberg theory to writing, Nathan relies on subtext to drive the story, allowing the audience to take a more active role in the interpretation of the story. The acting is phenomenal, with powerful performances by Amr Waked, Philippe Brenninkmeyer, Nahéma Ricci, Tara Lynn Orr, and Tullan Holmqvist. The story is haunting and beautiful - a thematic study of loss, love, and human emotion. I highly recommend this film!

This is a gorgeous, visually stunning film set in a beautiful location, with evocative moody music that works hand in hand to take the viewer on a hypnotic journey into love, loss and the secrets that transform us. There is a compelling style and tone to the film, which adds to the sense of mystery and intrigue, that kept me curious about every next moment. The characters were complex, honest and relatable. The cast is phenomenal offering beautiful nuanced performances, especially the vibrant and surprising Nahema Ricci. I thoroughly enjoyed this film and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys good cinema!

Under Spanish Skies is a serious, pensive story set in a beautiful location, a magnificent property in Spain with an amazing house. The setting adds so much to the story here. Moral dilemmas abound here as the main character reveals to her friends that she has made a suicide pact. It is interesting to watch how all the other characters react and how they handle this. The movie really makes you ask yourself, what would you do if a friend told you they had made a suicide pact? What would you say to them? The cast is superb. And the writing and directing were excellent, I loved the shot choices and the camera work. The musical score was very effective throughout. Give this one a watch!

Writer/director Nathan Buck has crafted a finely nuanced drama that makes anvils seem light in comparison. Under Spanish Skies spotlights panoramic vistas in its excellent cinematography, and has a polished look that far surpasses many of today's indie film releases. The film has a somber script that takes a sobering look at tough adult situations, such as long-strained relationships and abruptly discovered, deeply-held secrets. The film is brought to life with really good acting throughout. Each cast member created a character that seemed to embody an unspoken backstory, lending gravitas to their performances. To be sure, this is drama with a CAPITAL D, with nary a laugh to be found. But if movie dramas are your thing, this one has that in spades and you can be completely certain that you'll get your drama fix!

"Under Spanish Skies" is beautifully filmed in a magnificent location which becomes one of the characters in this film and informs the story. Two friends are summoned to the property by the wife of a deceased long-time friend. The caretaker, a wonderful Amr Waked, is on hand, along with a surprise visit from his distraught niece, Nahema Ricci, giving a beautiful, nuanced performance. Twists and turns play out as secrets and surprises are discovered along the way. Nathan Buck did a great. Job writing, directing and creating this film. It's interesting and strikes the right notes along the way. Well worth a look.

I've actually seen "Under Spanish Skies" twice -- once when it was starting its award-winning turn on the festival circuit and last night again on Amazon. From the get-go, I've thought this film had three things really going for it: the cinematography is excellent; the story is theatrical (in the best possible meaning of that term); the acting and directing are top-notch. But what really struck me the second time around was how deeply resonating the story remains. This is life and death stuff and you'll think about the characters' decisions long after the credits roll. This is a facile comparison, but the film is sort of a Gen-X, indie "Big Chill"--but where that film manipulated your emotions with boomer nostalgia (egad, that soundtrack!), "Under Spanish Skies" slowly and expertly peels back layers of raw emotion that have underpinned these friends' relationships over the decades. I highly recommend this film.

Under Spanish Skies is a deeply moving film about life and death. A reclusive artist invites old friends to her farm in Spain and tells them of a suicide pact she had with her deceased husband. In the next 48 hours, to save her, the friends must reveal secrets from the past that could cause her to change her mind. In todays world of action packed super hero movies some viewers may find it's a bit of a slow but steady pace. I personally think this is not a bad thing. It's not that kind of movie. This is not a story to be rushed and there's no need to. It has a very intelligent screenplay and the cast is excellent across the board. The camera work is amazing and the exquisite Spanish landscapes and scenery are just beautiful. I highly recommend this movie.

Under Spanish Skies is the kind of film you might find on the Criterion channel. Intelligent, atmospheric... simple yet haunting. The characters are believable and extremely well fleshed out. And the agonizing choices they have to make will affect you and transport you into their places. Leah's loss of her husband and soulmate Neil, and the revelation of a suicide pact they made, set the story beautifully in motion. It is inevitable that you will be drawn in by the characters and the drama that follows. An exceptionally well written, directed and performed film, Under Spanish Skies will stay with you long after this affecting tale has reached its conclusion. I strongly recommend it.

A refreshingly mature independent film from writer/director Nathan Buck with a very French vibe, recalling some of Alain Resnais' twisted yet sophisticated relationship films that I liked very much. Never once did I feel I had landed in some low budget first-time director effort. In fact, the perfectly focused cast can hold their own against many a big budget - big name production. Beautifully captured Spain locations together with smart and probing dialogue make it easy to loose yourself in this revealing adult-driven coming-of-age film. Well-deserved awards and nominations with more to come I am sure.

It's no coincidence that Shakespeare is heavily referenced within the story of this film. If only the characters could recognize how their own lives echo stories by the classic playwright.

In the wake of her husband's untimely passing, Leah has invited her closest friends to their villa under the guise of mourning him. In truth she has a secret to reveal which will send all of their relationships into a tailspin. But Leah's secret is only the beginning, and there is more to unfold as we learn their shared past is not all that it appears to be.

The intersecting the lives of a small cast collide here in unexpected ways against the backdrop of the Spanish countryside. Wonderful cinematography, talented cast, and an understated score push this film forward every step of the way.

I happen to love a film that engages you so thoroughly that it is easy to forget you are watching a film. This is the case with this mesmerizing film written and directed by Nathan Buck. I found the pacing to draw me into each character without a feeling of self indulgence. Quite a difficult thing to do.

The opening with our hitchhiker Alex (Nahema Riccio) lets the viewer know immediately that there is a mystery about to unfold. When we meet up with Beth (Tillman Holmqvist) and Gregory (Philippe Brenninkmeyer) it is unclear what their relationship is, which makes things all the more interesting for me.

The actors had such honest and real performances that it felt like we were eves dropping on their visit with Leah (tara Lynn Orr). They all glided into their conversations. We were invited into their inner thoughts by just watching them. Their inner voice was quite audible to the viewer.

I was trying to figure out what the ultimate secret was and failed! I found that all the more intriguing.

There were so many levels to these relationships and the way each of their stories intertwined that it kept me guessing what the outcome would eventually be. When I finally found out that secret, I could feel the deep pain with each actor...the receiver of the news as well as the giver of the information. How that rippled out to everyone else.

I felt all the performances were wonderful. The character Andres (Amr Wakes) was the glue that held everyone together. I thought his performance was so strong and played with so much restraint that it was hard not to want to see a lot more of him.

I would recommend this film for the solid acting, the beautiful cinematography, and all the technical aspects of film, and mostly the wonderful direction and well written script of Nathan Buck.

Great example of good story telling with limited budget. A group of characters are forced to confront their fears and each others. In the background, a beautiful Spanish villa. Writer/director Nathan Buck does a great job in writing complex characters and directing skilled actors.

It's a drama about life and death who takes you on a journey with the characters as they discover secrets and truths about themselves and their friends. Like in The Big Chill, there's an absent character whose presence though is very strong.

The plot is original and universal at the same time. Everyone could related to those fears and conflicts.

Strongly recommended.

"Under Spanish Skies" has an irreproachable cast, a well-developed and captivating script and music that perfectly matches each scene. The story is about the long-lasting friendship of two couples that turns out to be full of unspoken words, lies and complex feelings. After the death of one of them, they question their relationship against a backdrop of a Shakespearean drama, making us think about our friendship's values and how we would manage to deal with the loss of a loved one. This incredible indie movie is a truly beautiful film full of tenderness, emotions and unexpected twists, all set in a beautiful landscape that would rather aspire to a peaceful weekend than to a delicate but necessary introspection. This film is definitely worth watching and I wish it the huge success it deserves.

Good looking movie. It's a gem. The visuals are stunning, the storytelling is succinct yet impactful, and the characters and plot keep you hooked until the very end. Though not all performances are on par, the actors embody their roles seamlessly, and their gripping drama leaves you wanting more. Buck's efficient storytelling is commendable, never once letting the pace drag. As a viewer, you'll be invested in the melancholy souls whose lives intertwine on screen, eager to see how their stories unfold. Creating an independent film is a daunting feat, but kudos to Buck and his crew for making it appear effortless. And as a bonus, it's a feast for the eyes.