Looking for Eric

Eric Bishop (Steve Evets) is a depressed middle-aged postman living with his two lay-about stepsons in a run-down house in Manchester. When he realises that he is still in love with Lily (Stephanie Bishop), his first wife, Eric has a breakdown. It takes visions of his hero Eric Cantona, the iconic Manchester United footballer, to coax him out of his slump. Directed by Ken Loach, with Cantona appearing as himself.

Dave Calhoun, Time Out: There are two, not one, intimate, winning relationships at the heart of this film - one imagined, the other real. There's the rapport between postie and ex-footballer, and there's the softly-softly reconciliation of Eric Bishop and his ex-wife Lily... Their scenes together are the film's highlights. (Verdict: five stars out of five)

James Christopher, the Times: The disconcerting impression in the first 45 minutes of the film is that Bishop has tragically lost his marbles... But the film turns our expectations upside down. The sweet and healing chemistry between Evets's working-class hero and a reflective Cantona taps a vintage Loach theme about the resilience and essential decency of human nature. (Verdict: four stars out of five)

Nigel Andrews, Financial Times: Ken Loach's Looking for Eric makes us wonder if British filmmakers have had a collective cranial lobotomy. With this frivol... Loach follows Mike Happy-Go-Lucky Leigh into the zone of the feelgood, featherbrained film. It seems the fruit of a fatal 'yes': the affirmative response Loach made when Cantona contacted him to indicate a wish to work together. (Verdict: two stars out of five) ·