Cantona Review: Beckham and Ferguson Defend Football Icon in New Documentary
This review from The Guardian covers a new documentary about Eric Cantona premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. The film is described as a fervent but repetitive piece of fan service that relies heavily on iconic clips of Cantona's controversial behavior during his football career. It features extensive interviews with key figures such as Sir Alex Ferguson, David Beckham, and Cantona’s parents, alongside Cantona himself, who appears in a deserted church quoting Baudelaire. The documentary explores Cantona's transition from a tempestuous football star at Manchester United and Leeds to an actor in films like Ken Loach's 'Looking for Eric.' While it avoids delving into prurient details or offering a traditional redemption narrative regarding his infamous 1995 kung-fu kick incident, it suggests his temper may have been influenced by former Marseille owner Bernard Tapie. The reviewer notes the film's disjointed timeline and lack of deeper critical analysis, labeling it primarily as nostalgic entertainment for fans rather than a profound biographical study.
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