CANNES--Temperamental, talented French footballer Eric Cantona scored a new triumph at Cannes on Monday, this time in British director Ken Loach's entry for the film festival's coveted Palme d'Or.

The hilariously funny and touching "Looking for Cantona" won huge applause from the critics at a screening ahead of its red-carpet release, making the movie a top contender for the Cannes trophy.

The Manchester United star, who quit football 12 years ago, plays the role of psychological mentor to a depressed postman, struggling to cope with life and his two teenage stepsons.

Cantona, who has acted in a handful of films, plays himself, appearing like a vision to help the Manchester postman also named Eric and in the process delivering a stream of his quintessential proverbs -- often in French.

A hymn to soccer, Cantona said in Cannes that the movie brings a message about the importance of team-play. "These are wonderful people with wonderful solidarity," he said of Man United fans.