Review of Looking for Eric (2009) by Stuart K — 01 Mar 2010

Ken Loach makes his 25th film in his amazing 45 years as a filmmaker. While this one retains alot of the bleak kitchen sink drama/documentary style look of most of his previous films, this one has a bit of lightness to it.

It's actually his funniest film in a long time, and it's uplifting and very enjoyable. It follows the life of Eric Bishop (Steve Evets), a postman whose life is falling apart. 30 years previously, he abandoned his wife Lily (Stephanie Bishop), and their daughter Sam (Lucy-Jo Hudson), the latter he still keeps in contact with by looking after his granddaughter.

He married again, and now has two criminal sons Ryan (Gerard Kearns) and Jess (Stefan Gumbs). In dispair, his friends teach him meditation and Eric has hallucinations of visits from his footballing hero Eric Cantona (as himself), whose philosopical wisdom and words of comfort help give Eric more confidence.

He can now talk to his estranged wife, he can make himself a better person and even deal with the problems his sons have got into. It features all of Ken Loach's trademarks, the naturalistic way of shooting and the social realism.

But, this is much more lighter, it's closer in tone to Loach's own Ae Fond Kiss (2004). But, it has a good sense of humour, which feels real and it shows that you can rely on your friends to overcome your problems.