The Red Right Hand
  www.theredrighthand.co.uk





LOOKING FOR ERIC
The Search Begins

Director
Ken Loach

Starring
Steve Evets
Eric Cantona

Ken Loach has an undeniable talent and keen eye when it comes to analysing the lives of the repressed and the downtrodden; famously proven with 1969's Kes and his greatest piece, The Wind That Shakes The Barley- but in truth, Looking For Eric is a hard film to get into. It's not that the story is in any way poorly written or the cast incapable, it's simply an example of excelling too much; by that I mean Loach and Evets have created a character so outwardly hopeless that there seems little can be done to realistically resolve his plight. Which, I imagine, is why Eric Cantona turns up.

Following aging postman, Eric Bishop's [Evets], deep descent into depression and malaise, he begins to see a marijuana-induced vision of his idol, Eric Cantona. For those that don't know, Cantona was one of England's most famous footballers in the early nineties, legendary for his controversial arrogance, winning personality and almost cryptic nature. Confiding in the French icon as you would a psychiatrist, Cantona pushes Eric to confront the murky parts of his life, the elements that have driven him to his current state. By this method, we learn that Eric walked out on his first wife, who he hasn't spoken to in nearly thirty years and his step-children (from his second marriage) have found themselves in bed with a particularly nasty wide-boy, sinking deeper into a life of crime. Despite his life rapidly departing the rails, Cantona continues to offer sagely advice, spurring on Eric to change his life.

As stated, it's a hard film to get into and for someone who had to get up early on a Sunday to get down to the cinema to review it, I wasn't exactly braced for a despondent, working-class drama. The pace neatly mirrors the beleaguered Eric's life and after a slow uptake, the third act proves to be thoroughly rewarding and curiously uplifting. The whole ensemble reminded me of 2005's On A Clear Day chronicling the fall and subsequent rise of a working man at his wit's end, paralleled with stark realist drama and upbeat comical banter.

Release Date:
12th June 2009

The Scene To Look Out For:
As stated below, Eric Cantona is a complete scene stealer and despite all urges, I'm not going to go with one of his prophetic scenes. Rather than the internal apparitions, I would like to highlight the two-three scenes Eric spends with his mates, work colleagues and fellow footie fans - if only because the camaraderie feels genuine and so very real.

Notable Characters:
Incontestably, Eric Cantona completely steals this film. His presence may only clock something like fifteen-twenty minutes but his sheer presence is irrefutably impressive and memorable. That's not to say those around him do not offer stellar performances but there's just something magical about this confident mentor. And, that is exactly how he should have been, part-man part-myth, everything that Eric Bishop saw in his idol. I mean, I'm not a football fan but I know who Cantona is and for some reason, always will.

Highlighted Quote:
"Flawed genius... have you ever done anything you're ashamed of? Who takes care of you?"

In A Few Words:
"Not nearly Loach's best work but sill strangely rewarding, if only for the profoundly entertaining Eric Cantona"

Total Score:
7/10


Matthew Stogdon