Everybody Knows [2018] ★★★
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”.
The synopsis for this Spanish thriller doesn’t do it justice, at least the one being shared online. When I found it streaming on Netflix, I had to see for myself. As a result, this wasn’t half bad. In fact, if you enjoy films that move at a deliberately slow pace with twists and turns that occur in the final third, then “The Occupant” could be the thriller for you. When a once successful man (nicely played by Javier Gutiérrez) finds himself forced to leave a fancy apartment he can no longer afford with his family, he decides to stalk the new residents. We don’t always know what he’s planning to do next, which is why the movie is entirely watchable. That’s not to say that it’s a genuine original (far from it actually), and I probably wouldn’t pay to see it on the big screen. But this is why we have streaming platforms in this day and age. Films that do not require much analysis go down easier from the comfort of your own couch, and “The Occupant” is a fine example of that. Simply put: it gets the job done.
Today’s classic film recommendation is Juan Antonio Bardem’s masterful “Death of a Cyclist”, released in the mid 1950’s under the Franco regime. It’s clear that Bardem’s aim was to criticize the huge gap between the poor and the rich, which explains why the movie was censored and Bardem was “forced” to change a key plot point. The simple story follows a rich married woman who is having an affair with a college professor. The movie opens with them driving on an empty road when they accidentally hit a cyclist. Instead of helping the injured man, they decide to drive off in fear that this incident might jeopardize their relationship. And so begins “Death of a Cyclist”, a powerful drama about guilt, paranoia and blackmail. Directed with extraordinary skill by Bardem (who happens to be Javier Bardem’s uncle), the film is a tough road well worth traveling. All the actors amaze, so does Alfredo Fraile’s breathtaking cinematography. “Death of a Cyclist” is emotionally devastating. It takes a piece out of you. If you’re into old European films, consider it a must see.
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