A man trying to put his life back on track gets some advice from an unexpected benefactor in this comedy drama from acclaimed British director Ken Loach. Eric Bishop (Steve Evets) is a postman living in Manchester whose life has been slowly going off the rails ever since his wife, Lily (Stephanie Bishop), walked out on him. Eric has just been released from the hospital after an auto accident, and comes home to a house that's a mess and two teenage sons, Ryan (Gerard Kearns) and Jess (Stefan
Gumbs), who regard their dad as an annoyance rather than an authority figure. Eric's oldest child, a grown daughter named Sam (Lucy-Jo Hudson), loves him but can't get her mother or brothers to show him any respect. And his friends from work don't know what to do for him, except allow him to talk about football and his favorite team, Manchester United. One night, Eric is home alone, smoking some weed, and to his amazement he's visited by an apparition of Eric Cantona, the French footballer who was a star for Manchester United in the 1990s until he retired and dropped out of sight. Cantona's ghost has come to give Eric a pep talk and offer him some advice on how to win Lily back, and as Eric tries to convince his wife to give him another chance, Cantona periodically appears to coach him in the ways of romance. Looking for Eric was an official selection at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
In a rousing change of pace, England's master of dramatized poverty, marginalization and despair dabbles in comedy, fantasy, soccer and wish-fulfillment, with charming, audience-pleasing results.
The motley crew of buddies, played by a passel of Manchester stand-up comedians, is a distinctive and amusing lot, and Evets does a great job in the lead
A magical realist comedy that flirts uncomfortably with serious drama at times, the film sees its veteran director fouling due to an unsure grip on his material.
There's some smart and sweet material -- in particular, some story elements and character-driven moments -- that would probably appeal to a wider audience if only Loach and screenwriter Paul Laverty had toned things down in respect to the dialogue.
A wistful tale about a sad sack who is counseled by an imaginary friend, a soccer superstar. Not so much "A Beautiful Mind" as it is Woody Allen's "Play it again, Sam".
[It] has its charms, particularly in its climax, but itâ(TM)s definitely outside of Loachâ(TM)s socially-conscious, neorealist wheelhouse, and thereâ(TM)s a tentative, groping quality to the film.
Looking for Eric is a gritty and realistic comedy-drama, which doesn't sacrifice laughter in-spite of all the glumness. Eric Bishop is a typical miserable northener on the surface, and we follow him through his juggling act of a life, as he's helped along by Eric Cantona. It's full of interesting and well devoloped
characters, and the acting is really quite striking. Even Eric Cantana is good, proving that sports stars can act (well he is playing himself). Throw a happy ending into the mix, and you have a brilliant story of a man overcoming his troubles, with the help of friends.
October 27, 2011
Joel Kelly
Super Reviewer
Ken Loach is a great director and doesn't make enough films for my liking. You can harp on about your Danny Boyles all you like, Loach is the best of British (along side Mike Leigh of course). Looking for Eric manages to reach that perfect balance of light humour and gripping drama beautifully. Evets and Cantona are
brilliant together in the leading roles and it is great to see the always brilliant John Henshaw in a supporting role on the big screen. A slightly different direction from Loach's usual direction but with all the usual quality film-making. Brilliant.
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