Looking for Eric (2009)

Eric, a football fanatic postman whose life is descending into crisis, receives some life coaching from the famously philosophical Eric Cantona.

Director:

Ken Loach

Writer:

Paul Laverty (screenplay)

Stars:

Steve Evets, Eric Cantona, Stephanie Bishop

1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Steve Evets	...	Eric Bishop
Eric Cantona	...	Himself
Stephanie Bishop	...	Lily
Gerard Kearns	...	Ryan
Stefan Gumbs	...	Jess
Lucy-Jo Hudson	...	Sam
Cole Williams	...	Daisy
Dylan Williams	...	Daisy
Matthew McNulty	...	Young Eric
Laura Ainsworth	...	Young Lily
Maxton G. Beesley	...	Eric's Father (as Maxton Beesley)
Kelly Bowland	...	Ryan's Girlfriend
Julie Brown	...	Nurse
John Henshaw	...	Meatballs
Justin Moorhouse	...	Spleen

Storyline

Eric Bishop, a middle-aged postman working for the Manchester sorting office, is going through a dreadful crisis. For starters, his second life companion has not resurfaced although she was released from prison a few months ago. He is left alone with two stepsons to look after, which is no bed of roses since the two teens disrespect him and keep disobeying him. To make matters worse, Ryan, the older boy, fascinated by Zac, a dangerous gangster, has accepted to hide his gun in Eric's house. On the other hand, he is asked by Sam, his student daughter who has a newborn baby,to get back in touch with Lily, his separated wife. Now, Eric left her not long after she gave back to their daughter. As a result Eric panics... Having lost all his bearings, Eric Bishop soliloquizes face to the poster of his idol, another Eric, French footballer Eric Cantona, when the latter appears just like the genie out of Aladdin's lamp. Through a series of aphorisms peculiar to him, the footballer-philosopher ...

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Plot Keywords:

postman | gun | manchester | poster | gangster | 

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Taglines:

To win back the love of his life, Eric's going to need a little training.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Sport

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Details

Official Sites:

Diaphana [fr] Icon Film Distribution [uk]

Country:

UK France Italy Belgium Spain

Language:

English French

Release Date:

27 May 2009 (France)

Also Known As:

Barátom, Eric

Filming Locations:

Manchester, Greater Manchester, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$6,743 (USA) (14 May 2010)

Gross:

$55,804 (USA) (25 June 2010)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sixteen Films, Film Four, Canto Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The short film I Dream of Zinedine Zidane directed by Tim Gee precedes Looking for Eric at elected theaters. It also deals with one man's obsession with a footballer.

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Goofs

On the bus going to the raid, the clock reports 12:12. Then, the camera goes on the passengers. When back on the bus clock, it reports 12:38.

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Quotes

Eric: I am not a man... I am Cantona.

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Crazy Credits

Credits include footage of the press conference where Eric Cantona gives his famous "seagulls" quote.

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Connections

Featured in The Rotten Tomatoes Show: Kick-Ass/Death at a Funeral/The Joneses (2010)

User Reviews

It score's with me ...

I think that Ken Loach has produced another winner here – it is a story of a Eric Bishop (Steve Evets), a postman going though some hard times and not being able to cope with life in general – with a painful break-up behind him, a dysfunctional home life, step kids that ignore him, he decides to escape from it all by driving the wrong way around a round-about … this prompts his friends to rally around to help him – suggesting self help techniques (very comical!) and adopting role models … and Eric B. adopts his main influence as Eric Cantona – who in his mind's eye becomes our Eric's life coach and mentor

Eric's friends and work colleagues from the Post Office are hilarious and whenever they are on screen it is very funny – especially the character "Meatballs" – played with great aplomb by John Henshaw. Other very good performances were portrayed by Stephanie Bishop (as Lily) and of course by Eric Cantona playing himself …

At times this film is sad, and at others truly funny – but you do take to the characters and ride along the emotional roller-coaster – because you actually start caring about the characters and what is happening to them

Just when it seemed all was lost for Eric B. and his family – there is then a superb twist in the plot (I won't give it away here) – and you won't see it coming! – that leads to a very fitting, uplifting finale to a very well told / acted / directed story I am not a Man Utd. Fan, but this film still has a lot to recommend it – and I must say, that Eric Cantona grows on you more and more as the movie goes along

This film's message is not really about football – it's more about the value of friends and people you can rely on when all seems lost … and as Cantona states "Trust your teammates – always – or your are nothing!"

I found "Looking for Eric" to be a very enjoyable film - recommended!