With the football season over and transfer rumours the only football related entertainment at present, I was relieved to get out to the cinema last night and watch the well publicised Eric Cantona film, Looking For Eric. I wasn’t expecting a classic, I was just looking forward to seeing a bit of the great man and some clips of his great goals.
All in all though, it was a bloody good film. I’m not sure how well it would go down outside of the North, but there was plenty of subtle and obvious humour, with John Henshaw, whose a blue in real life, getting the best of the laughs probably.
The tension between FC United and United was highlighted by Justin Moorhouse, a devoted red in real life, following FC in the film, and leading a chant of theirs in the local.
Gerard Kearns (Ian Gallagher in Shameless), who is a blue in real life, played the up-to-no-good stepson, who gives the main character, Eric Bishop, a lot to think about. Steve Evets takes on the role of downtrodden postman Eric, whose second wife left him years ago to look after her two sons. He’s depressed and fed up before finding a friend in the King, who appears to him in his room, usually when he’s smoked a joint or two. Cantona gives him the confidence and self-belief to go and make something of himself, sort out his two stepsons, go and get the girl and finally stand up for himself.
Cantona plays a secondary role to postman Eric, but is always the main focus of the film, with every new dilemma giving Cantona the opportunity to present his philosophy on the situation, trying to help the postie. Eventually though, the postman cracks:“I’m fucking up to here with your philosophy. I’m still getting over the sardines one, for chrissakes!”
The storyline could have been shit and I’d still probably have loved it but everything else going on in the film outside of Cantona was entertaining and funny enough to keep interest. No fan of our rivals would enjoy it, but people who don’t care for football would probably get a kick out of it, whilst I can’t imagine any United fan not loving it.
I won’t give it all away but I’d definitely recommend you going to see it!
“I am not a man, I am Cantona.”
Man Utd News 24/7
i NEED to see it!!! ia it something the missus would enjoy!
i am not a man… i am Cantona
that meant to say ”is it something the missus would enjoy?”
defo need to see this film, he is not a man the guys fuckin god.
I can’t wait to see this film!
@vidic will get ya15….You’re right, he is fuckin God.
Can’t wait to go and see it. £7.20 for the cinema in Manchester. Fuckin hell!
I can assure you that the reception outside from the North, as you said, is very good as well. In my country, the press has rated it 3 stars (max. 4), same thing for the public.
£7.20!!!!
You need to get yourself an NUS card Scott.
I get in for £5 with mine (Although that’s down in the ‘diff).
Well I saw the film in London and no-one had any problems getting into it.You don’t have to be a Manc or even a footbal fan. Everyone enjoyed it , footie fans or not. I know other people who’ve also seen it in London and the reaction is just the same, even rival supporters loved it. It’s funny, heart-warming, and it has a philosophy at it’s core which everyone can identify with. I even know folks who can’t stand football who found themselves uplifted by the Cantona footage, grudgingly admitting they can understand the appeal of football. Next I want a sequel: Looking for Gary.
i paid 9.20 in ashton for that bloody valentine thing.its about £6.50 round my way for the cinema
At least you can watch it at the cinema.I can’t for 2 reasons:
1.I’m not old enough.
2.It’ll never release here anyway.
I must say though,tickets there are expensive.Here the best tickets cost 120 Rupees,ie,1.5 pounds.It’s not even a shit cinema,it’s a brilliant one.
I will download it,though.
Giles. looking for Gary……. go to the Kop, there he is, kissing our badge in front of them ….that’s burnt into my mind ….!!
£7.20 to see a film! WTF!
i was at the odeon belfast on friday night and it wasnt that expensive. scott likes the premier seats me thinks!
Just checked my local Cineworld and it’s not being shown here! Will have to download it somewhere and get the DVD when released instead – not a happy chappy!
Those ticket prices are not that strange, it costs me round about £7 for a movie too!!
Anyway, must see this film. Dont you think the release of the movie is perfect timing? We lose one number 7 but can be reminded of the genius, personality and all round awesomeness of the greatest!!
Cantona>Ronaldo
Long Live The King!
TonyBee: Great closing image, roll credits!
Awesome film. Go see it.
every number seven should be retired because the King himself has retired.
£7.20 is a rip off eh. The tickets were booked in advance so I dunno if that drove the price up a bit? Fuckin Trafford Centre.
Went and seen it with the mrs on Sat night and it was brilliant, there is a really good story to it but with Cantona in makes it 100 times better..
I dont know who loves Eric more, me or the Wife.. lol
Eric LOVES FC