Eric, a postman from Manchester, is a man almost immobilised by depression. He can't keep up at work. He feels lost and alone. He has two failed marriages behind him. Eric is also looking after his stepsons from his failed second marriage, and life is bleak as the boys are playing around on the edge of some fairly serious criminal behaviour. To complicate matters further, on a visit to his first wife with their grandchild he realises he is still in love with her. Yes, Eric's world is crumbling, and he takes refuge in his stepson's supply of dope. It is while high that Eric has his odd epiphanys, and is visited by the awesome Eric Cantona. Yes, Cantona rocketh. He is, at times, almost impossible to understand and he delivers the kind of heavy-duty thoughts on life, love and the universe that only he could get away with. Which is all for the good. It's funny, touching and often bittersweet stuff. Steve Evets is great as Eric the postman, gradually learning the true value of real friendships, loves and people.
It's the scenes between Eric and Cantona - like confessionals or life-coaching classes, that are the meat of the movie. "You cannot surprise others unless you surprise yourself." “You must trust your team-mates always”. I lesser hands this could feel arch and trite. Here it feels life-affirming. The film, then? A goal, not a pass.
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