ImageAustralian audiences may not quite feel like Looking For Eric, after Ken Loach’s stunt at the recent Melbourne Film Festival. The filmmaker unceremoniously withdrew his film after his request for all monies from the State of Israel be boycotted, was politely refused. The fracas made headlines around the world, and probably has done little to endear Loach to local cinemagoers.
That said, Looking For Eric is quite a thoughtful and affectionate look at football fanatics, which should resonate with impassioned film fans. It is a tale of two Erics, which sees down-and-out postman Eric Bishop (Steve Evets) fraught at the prospect of reconnecting with his ex-wife Lily (Stephanie Bishop), whom he literally left holding the baby some 20-odd years ago.
Woeful, Eric’s well-meaning mates perform a group therapy intervention and attempt some positive visualisation. Surprisingly, Eric – with a few of his stepson’s splifs – is able to conger himself a legendary life coach in the form of football superstar Eric Cantona. Together the Erics muse over the meaning of life and love, and help save the postman from himself.
The phantom Cantona is well executed by the wooden, French philosophic footballer. And Evet’s at turns dejected and effusive Eric nicely compliments this Gallic stoicism. Indeed Paul Laverty's screenplay is at its best when Eric is starry eyed with his idol or at the bottom of a pint with his mates. However the film is weakened by the gangster subplot (though it does make for an amusing climax) and by Loach’s curious decision to stray away from the kitchen-sink and a real investigation of mental illness.
Instead, rather uncharacteristically, Loach forgoes realism for fable. Looking For Eric is a film that seems to ascribe to its protagonist’s philosophy about football; it’s an opportunity to get together with your mates and forget about your life for a couple of hours.
3 Stars
This review was published in The Brag.
Australian release date: 24 September 2009.
1 comments:
From the luke-warm reviews coming out of Sydney Film Festival (by yourself and others), I wasn't overly enthusiastic to see Looking for Eric but, as a Loach fan, I probably would have anyway. My attitude to Loach has completely transformed and I hope I can shake it by the time his next film arrives, because I am definitely 100% boycotting this one, in spite of various offers for free tickets. I just do not want to support him and his films right now. I think his attitude at MIFF is despicable, for reasons I have posted at various times and places.
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