Review of Looking for Eric (2009) by Greg T — 20 Jul 2012

Ken Loach delivers a frequently hilarious, occasionally grim, and magically touching kitchen sink fantasy about a middle-aged Manchester postman who's hit the skids, but who gets a chance to turn his life around thanks to the unexpected friendship and advice of Manchester United legend Eric Cantona.

Eric is a mess - living with his two teenage step-sons who treat him like dirt and thrust back into the orbit of his ex-wife, the great "one who got away". As he sinks deeper into depression his buddies try to help him out through various comic self-help therapies, which result in the great Cantona popping up like a fairy godmother, dispensing his famous bizarre philosophy and helping Eric get his life back on track.

And his advice is never more needed when a local heavy threatens his family, leading to a truly bizarre, memorable, and very funny set-piece that is both silly and really quite brilliant. A lovely film.