British director Ken Loach shot his latest bittersweet slice of life on location in Manchester, and scores possibly his most mainstream, feel-good hit to date - except perhaps in Liverpool.
With a pivotal dramatic role for both Manchester United Football Club and its fondly-remembered Gallic superstar Eric Cantona, this heartfelt coming-of-middle-age story, penned by Loach's longtime collaborator Paul Laverty, finds emotional truth and
earthy humour in the simple story of a single father struggling to raise two stepsons. The introduction of the eponymous footballer - a figment of the central character's imagination - provides an unusual catalyst for the subsequent journey of self-discovery and self-realisation.
"He who is afraid to throw the dice will never throw a six," proclaims the phantom Eric in typically cryptic fashion.
"I'm up to here with your philosophy," replies his protege. "I'm still getting over the bloody seagulls!"
The hilarious footage of the infamous 1995 press conference at which Cantona flaunted his disdain for the media with that terse statement - "When the seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea" - bookends the film.
Eric Bishop (Steve Evets) is a postman in emotional free-fall. Abandoned by his wife Chrissie and forced to single-handedly raise his rebellious teenage stepsons Ryan (Gerard Kearns) and Jess (Stefan Gumbs), Eric is teetering on the brink of a mental breakdown.
His workmate Meatballs (John Henshaw) turns to a Paul McKenna self-help book for guidance, which suggests the path to enlightenment lies in following the example of an idol. For Eric the postman, only one man fits the bill: Manchester United legend Cantona.
After the latest fiery encounter with his boys, Eric sneaks one of Ryan's spliffs and begins talking to his favourite poster of the footballing legend, searching for inspiration.
Miraculously, 'King Eric' (playing himself) materialises in front of the stunned father.
"It's really you," gasps Eric. "Say something in French!"
"Je suis Eric Cantona," comes the curt, concise reply.
With the icon at his side, Eric embarks on a rollercoaster journey back to self-redemption, which includes helping Ryan to wriggle from the grasp of a local crimelord and re-establishing contact with childhood sweetheart Lily (Stephanie Bishop).
Looking For Eric opens at a canter with the postman crashing his car driving the wrong way around a roundabout, then settles into a leisurely stroll as the postman is used like a doormat by his two boys.
Evets is instantly likeable in the central role, and the camaraderie with his fellow postmen is peppered with belly laughs.
The former footballer pokes fun at himself with glee - "I am not a man, I am Cantona!" - and is elevated to godlike status for a rousing finale that will have (non-Liverpudlian) audiences cheering in the terraces of their local cinema.
And don't miss . .
NEW TOWN KILLERS (15)The new film from writer-director Richard Jobson (The Woman In White, The Purifiers) is a night-time chase around the streets of Edinburgh, pitting an innocent young man against two bloodthirsty bankers.
The lamb to the slaughter is Sean (James Anthony Pearson), who agrees to help his older sister Alice (Liz White) pay off her mounting debts. When a half-hearted effort to sell his body ends in failure, Sean foolishly accepts an intriguing offer to play high stakes cat-and-mouse with shady duo Alastair (Dougray Scott) and Jamie (Alistair Mackenzie). If Sean can evade the two men until 9am the following morning, they will clear all of Alice's debts. Ignoring the possible penalty for losing the game, Sean races into the Capital, looking for a hiding place. He soon discovers how dangerous his pursuers are, but they refuse to let Sean back out. As Alastair tells his prey, "It's too late. A deal's a deal".
