I read somewhere that this movie was a “disappointing step back” for writer director Asghar Farhadi. But how do you top movies like “A Separation”, “The Past” and “The Salesman”? “Everybody Knows” may not be Farhadi’s best and most compelling work, but it has an intriguing story to tell and just the right actors to carry it through. Penelope Cruz plays a married woman who returns to her hometown to attend her sister’s wedding. In true Farhadi fashion, an incident happens during the wedding, which leads to a series of devastating events. Old wounds are reopened and, layer by layer, we discover secrets that many thought were dead and buried. Cruz and Javier Bardem (who plays her ex-lover) are exceptionally good, and the story keeps you invested at every turn. Criticism? I would say the film goes on a bit too long, and I wish the ending had a stronger impact on me. Still, if you appreciate Farhadi’s style, and want to see two great actors in a powerful drama, you’ll definitely appreciate “Everybody Knows”.