Sunday, May 03, 2009

Ooh, ah! Cantona!

Okay, I'll admit it. I've got a little bit of a crush on Eric Cantona. I've had this crush for some years now. It started around the time I was forced, I mean, when I voluntarily started watching football (soccer)with the Duke about 15 years ago and Cantona played for Manchester United. He was an amazing player and one that made it a little easier on my eyes when watching Match of the Day. Of course I wasn't allowed to actually cheer for him, I mean, he did play for Man United, and in my house, that just isn't a team one cheers for. I'm not allowed to watch football with the Duke anymore because he complains I ask too many questions, but when Cantona played, I was content just to sit back and watch quietly. He had that sort of effect on me.

When he retired at the age of 30, I lost a bit of interest in the sport (fickle, I know, but then, I am a girl.). So imagine my delight when I found out that the French footballing legend had decided to take up acting. I don't really remember much about the films I saw him in or what his acting was like, I was just happy to see him back on the screen.

Well, he's back in action with a new film that is appearing at the Cannes Film Festival this year, directed by Ken Loach and titled Looking for Eric. He plays himself, and the story is about a Manchester postman, also called Eric, who is going through a bit of a rough patch in work, in love, and in life in general. As a devoted Manchester United fan, he seeks out his hero, Eric Cantona, to give him some advice and a little life coaching.

Looking for Eric
is competing for the Palme d'Or at the festival this year, and the film is set for general release in June. I'm looking forward to sitting quietly and watching him once again.


2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cantona is definitely hot. It's seems like he's a pretty good actor too.

deedee said...

I agree with Dedene, Eric is a surprising good actor. A good reconversion for this ex-soccer star.