Review of Looking for Eric (2009) by Michael L — 02 Jan 2010
Looking For Eric is part heartwarming, part gritty but its bizarre structure sadly makes it a frustrating experience. It was advertised as a semi-surreal coming of confidence film where a Mancunian postman re-discovers his life and family under the tutelage of Cantona (superb), who appears to him when stoned and this really works but doesn't have enough legs to fill a film.
In compensation, it lets the B Plot of teenage gang crime totally take over the second act. This plot feels like a separate film in itself, tagged onto the main piece, thrown at an audience who would not have come to see it - violent, nasty, grubby; it's superb but it's not a bonkers, genius French footballer as a life coach in a romcom.
A magnificent climax saves the film which is admittedly littered with great set pieces, has terrific acting and assured direction by Loach but ultimately it feels like two films fighting with eachother rather than one complete piece.
Ooh, aah.
This review of Looking for Eric (2009) was written by Michael L on 02 Jan 2010.
Looking for Eric has generally received positive reviews.
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