Review of Looking for Eric (2009) by Alistair K — 09 Oct 2010

I have always thought that it would take something extra special for me to even tolerate anything with an association to Manchester United FC. It is a true testament to the great spirit of this film, the fantastic central performances, and the sheer charisma of Cantona himself (a man I always viewed as an individual artist more than a team player anyway) that had me coming away from this film singing it's praises.

To the casual observer this may seem a strange idea for a film, and it's apparent association with football may have deterred people, and ultimately robbed them of a story of great depth and heart.

It has real drama, deals with real issues, and the way Loach uses Cantona is both clever at the same time as being heart warming. It may lapse a little into sentimentality and fall further into the realms of the ridiculous as it comes to a conclusion, but by that point you care too much about the characters to really care all too much.

This close affinity with them is by no means a given though, and it more or less comes down to the fantastic performance of Steve Evets, who makes you feel every frame, and totally encapsulates what the movie is all about, one of those rare performances that you simply wonder how the film could ever have worked had he not been casted in this role.

Aside from him, the supporting players make this not only harming and dramatic, but at times very funny, and it is this all rounded nature of the film that really lets it stand on it's own two feet, and not just as some may see it, a film about Eric Cantona.

This is great film making, and if it doesn't make you feel good at the end of the film then nothing will. A lovely idea, beautifully executed, sounds just like vintage Cantona.