It's hard to talk about how fierce Ewan McGregor is in the flawed Angels & Demons. His role as the right-hand holy man to the just-dead Pope is tied into plot details that lead to spoilers. But in a movie in which most of the actors, led by Tom Hanks, hold back — McGregor lets it rip. The Scottish actor has a reputation for taking risks. And yet McGregor, 38, is traditionally the forgotten man when it comes to winning Oscar nominations. He was the romantic soul of 2001's Moulin Rouge, but Nicole Kidman got the acting nomination. Nothing for Ewan. I'm not saying that anyone connected with the deadly Star Wars prequels deserves credit. But McGregor, as the young version of Alec Guinness's Obi-Wan Kenobi, was the only one to emerge from the Jar-Jar trilogy with his dignity intact. It's time to make up for past insults. So let's look at the roles for which McGregor deserved his share of award glory:
Trainspotting, director Danny Boyle's balls-out 1996 film version of the Irvine Welsh novel about Scottish heroin junkies, makes a good start. McGregor played Renton and from his opening run through the streets to a surreal dive down a toilet it was a performance of ferocity and feeling. Trainspotting was the second of three films McGregor would do with his mentor Boyle, freshly Oscared for Slumdog Millionaire. But after Boyle gave the role meant for McGregor in 2000's The Beach to Titanic box-office prince Leonardo DiCaprio, McGregor refused to speak to Boyle. He still hasn't. I recently interviewed McGregor on my "Popcorn" show on ABC News NOW, and asked him if there was any chance of a reconciliation. I even offered to do an intervention. McGregor addresses this issue and more in this clip from the show:
Velvet Goldmine, Todd Haynes' swooningly sexy 1998 tribute to Seventies glam rock, cast McGregor as an Iggy Pop-ish rude boy in mascara whose suck-my-cock swagger transfixed the David Bowie-ish figure played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers. McGregor threw himself into the makeup, the clothes, the drugs, the bi sex and the blazing music with a dynamism that is never less than mesmeric.
Moulin Rouge, the above mentioned spectacle from Aussie director Baz Luhrmann, features McGregor as a penniless poet named Christian, crooning an elephantine love medley with Nicole Kidman, referencing — among other tunes — "All You Need Is Love," "I Will Always Love You," "Silly Love Songs" and "Up Where We Belong." On my "Popcorn" show, I begged McGregor to sing a snatch of the medley live. He refused, dammit! I just dared Craig Ferguson to get Ewan to sing on his show tonight. We'll see. But McGregor's unbridled emotionalism as Christian is, I believe, the secret of the film's continuing appeal.
Young Adam, a 2003 tale of adultery and murder directed by David Mackenzie, won McGregor the Scottish equivalent of an Oscar. The movie found him playing an amoral drifter on a barge navigating the waterways of Glasgow, and having an affair with fellow Scot Tilda Swinton as the wife of the barge owner. In the U.S., McGregor's nude scenes got as much attention as his acting. "I have no problem with nudity," he told me. "Nudity, sexuality and sex are all part of life." Maybe McGregor's willingness to go commando onscreen (catch The Pillow Book) hurts his chances at Academy attention. McGregor, admirably, goes his own way. In the upcoming* I Love You Phillip Morris*, McGregor shares hot love scenes with costar Jim Carrey. "He's a nice kisser, Jim, tender but firm," McGregor told me. His only regret? "Jim doesn't call and doesn't write." Neither does Oscar. But it's a time for a change.
Stay, a 2005 film from director Marc Forster (Monster's Ball, Finding Neverland, The Kite Runner), is the unfairly neglected film that McGregor told me he'd most like audiences to find on DVD. It's a tough, uncompromising story, with McGregor as a Manhattan shrink treating a suicidal art student (Ryan Gosling) in ways that unhinge them both.
So what do you think? What's the Ewan McGregor movie that you'd most like to call to attention?
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Matthew | October 27, 2009 4:48 PM
I don't see why everyone is giving Ewan such a hard time. He did great in Big Fish, The Island, A Life Less Ordinary, and any other freaking movie he has been in. He is a tremendous actor who doesn't get any credit for the magnificent performances that he gives. So screw you FilmFan.
FilmFan | August 17, 2009 11:07 PM
Uh no. McGregor is extremely over-rated. At most, he is a bland presence. At worst, he is annoying. For example, in Big Fish, his character is supposed to be charming but ends up appearing mentally challenged yet smug. The film wasn't particularly good but he made it worse. On stage (as Iago in Othello), the guy has no presence whatsoever; he has absolutely no feel for the verse. He was fine in Star Wars but that's not saying much.
Just ugh!
freda | July 16, 2009 7:47 PM
some actors who performed less HAVE the Oscar nods!
I guess the Oscars is mainly a popularity vote among people in the business, and being a fan of Ewan I am aware he doesn't care about popularity, just wants to act in good films.
This is a fantastic article and he should have gotten an Oscar nod with the films you mentioned.
If he doesn't, atleast we all know he's one hell of a great actor
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Elessar | June 13, 2009 10:28 PM
Agreed that Ewan is tremendously underrated. Hopefully, his upcoming roles in Roman Polanski's THE GHOST and Clooney's MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS will raise his stature.
I disagree that he was the only one to survive the prequels intact. Liam Neeson was Phantom Menace's sole saving grace. I would also argue that Ian McDiarmid and Christopher Lee also acquitted themselves well. Heck, McDiarmid was what made Revenge of the Sith the most acceptable of the prequels.
Colleen | June 3, 2009 9:27 PM
Ewan is most definitely the most underrated actor of our time. And I have thought this since his pre-Star Wars days in such movies as A Life Less Ordinary, Trainspotting, Shallow Grave (all Danny Boyle films too...and all brilliant). He picks some of the most dynamic roles (well not Eye of the Beholder for one) and just doesn't get the recognition deserved. But those of us who appreciate his art will only continue to be pleased in the years to come. And hopefully, sooner than later this dynamite star of Big Fish and Down With Love will finally get the "star status" he has so graciously earned yet never strived for.
Bonnie | June 1, 2009 11:03 PM
Okay, I'm almost done ranting. For now, all I have to say is: READ THE BOOK DUMBASS!
Bonnie | June 1, 2009 10:45 PM
Honestly, people. I meant what I said about him being the World's Biggest Hypocrite. How could he possibly critize Sean Connery about "not wanting to be told how to feel about Scotland by someone who hadn't lived there in over 25 years"? And where is it that you currently reside, Ewan? Oh, that's right. LA, with a house in London. Where does Scotland fit into that picture? Well I got news for you, buddy! I don't like being told how to feel about my homeland by someone who isn't living there either!!! So don't bitch at Sean Connery, cos you did the same damn thing! I'm the one who still lives in Scotland!! Think before you talk, man. You may not realize it, but whoever you're critizing and what you're telling them off for, you've probably done it.
Bonnie | June 1, 2009 10:33 PM
By the way, I like you dlt. You have a great point.
Bonnie | June 1, 2009 10:30 PM
I don't mean to rude to Ewan, I do love him in Moulin Rouge!, but quite frankly I would go against everything he says about Angels and Demons. It was an extremely anti-Catholic movie, and he of all people should know that, playing the camerlengo. Can he read? The plot is about the camerlengo (I don't say his name because it changed from book to movie) convincing the world that Catholics are better than scientists and that they are the truthful enlightened ones, all the while planning and carrying out a secret plot to trick the world into believing and converting to Catholisim. So much for getting in to character. And nice accent, too, by the way. You could really hear the Scottish in the camerlengo's supposed-to-be Italian voice. And by the way, in case ya can't read the huge print in the front of the book Angels and Demons, it's the prequel to the Da Vinci Code, not the sequel. Which means it happened first. Which means that in Angels and Demons, the Da Vinci Code hasn't happened yet. Which means you can't make a reference to it! What, is the camerlengo a prophet too, now? Sorry, but Angels and Demons is bulls**t, and good for you for letting the director take charge, but you could have and should have done a little better research on your character. Maybe, for starters, getting into the right character? You were supposed to be Carlo Ventresca, the Italian sad soul sriven by terrible truths to do what he thinks is the right thing, but turns out wrong, not Patrick McKenna, the strong Irishman whose only goal save Vatican City. Sorry you misread the book, but it is anti-Catholic. And Carlo is the biggest hypocrite of the bunch. And for that one little matter, you did fantastic.
Suzana (Croatia) | May 23, 2009 10:24 PM
Ewan is great! He is is a fabulous actor! Best regards for him from Zagreb:)
Akemi | May 20, 2009 1:33 AM
You chose some of his best films - I am SO happy you mentioned "Young Adam"; it is one of my favorite films by him.
He was also fantastic in "Shallow Grave" - he needs to take on the role of "charming bastard" more often. I saw him play Iago in a London stage production of "Othello" last year; he was mesmerizing to watch, and it made me really hope that he considers more antihero or villainous roles in the future.
p jack | May 20, 2009 12:45 AM
i agree with everyone who mentioned big fish - great performance. i'd love to see mcgregor work with tim burton again!
Eijnar Amadeus | May 18, 2009 5:32 PM
I only 50 percent agree with you Peter. Ewan McGregor has turned out some fine performances, he is fabulous in Trainspotting, Big Fish, the Star Wars trilogy and Moulin Rouge - but I often remember his more dull roles; in the Island, Cassandra's Dream, Down with Love and Deception.
Margo | May 18, 2009 3:02 PM
GOD BLESS YOU, sir, for mentioning the long neglected Velvet Goldmine. I can think of only a couple of other times in my life when I have witness such a truly riveting, unnerving performance from an actor. Ewan absolutely BECOMES his character Curt Wild in this film. He gets under his skin and inside of his soul in the eeriest, rawest way- it's pretty much indescribable. One of those performances that stays with you. He TOTALLY steals this lovely but otherwise flawed little movie.
Go and rent it, people! Forget Moulin Rouge and Star Wars and that horror show A Life Less Ordinary.
PS- Little Voice was pretty neat, too. Tiny role but weird, quirky, very sweet.
Ewan fan from latin america | May 18, 2009 1:59 PM
He is oviously a gifted tremendous actor he as done some daring preformances an that takes him, as they say out, of the hollywood oscar lime light. He also tries to stay away from tabloids and fame if funny in the sense that you sometimes don´t get a lot of attention from being a purely great actor. I personally think that and he is SUPER SEXY. Im sure he will get the attention he deserves sooner or later!
Adam Camara | May 18, 2009 12:45 PM
How the hell did you leave our Big Fish dude? Great movie and great job by E. Also one of the few movies that was better than the book. BTW, has their ever been a bigger dropoff from book to movie than DiVinci Code and Angels and Demons???
h_e_n_r_y | May 18, 2009 11:29 AM
I wholeheartedly agree that Ewan McGregor is underrated. Not only has he consistently given great performances, but he seems to be a great person as well.
Unfortunately, his good/great performances are often hurt by weak co-stars or a poor plot [Star Wars films, The Island, Big Fish...].
Still, Ewan McGregor's Oscar day will come.
Gina | May 18, 2009 10:45 AM
I was first introduced to Mr McGregor's work through Star Wars, but then came to appreciate so many wonderful roles played before and since. Moulin Rouge is absolutely brilliant, and I enjoy other movies where he sings from Life Less Ordinary to Down With Love and even briefly in Emma.
Long Way Round was an amazing way to see more of his real personality, and interestingly the ER episode that I also long remembered without knowing who he was is entitled "The Long Way Around."
He gave his heart and soul in Moulin Rouge, so if he can just do that again with the right film maybe he will be recognized at last.
Simon | May 18, 2009 7:50 AM
Not a movie, but Long Way Round is def worth a watch - Ewan and his mate Charlie, driving around the world on motorbikes... Ewan comes across as a very nice bloke
Don | May 18, 2009 7:44 AM
Ewan won't be getting any oscar nomination for Angels and Demons. The script was just stupid and I had the impression that he was fighting the urge to laugh at the corny lines. In the session I went to, the audience actually laughed aloud at the scene where McGregor branded himself (but apparently felt no pain). He is too good an actor to accept crap scripts like that. Ewan - do yourself a favour and take on roles which stretch you.
TraversYouDaMAN | May 18, 2009 7:22 AM
Loved Shallow grave :)
He's good in Cassandra's dream too...
AND STFU jack Toad, Travers is a GOD.
NotMozart | May 18, 2009 1:08 AM
I agree with several other posters on this thread, thank you, Peter Travers, for bringing attention to the world's most underrated film actor, and my only addition to the above list is "Big Fish"... so far...
Jolly | May 17, 2009 3:08 PM
Ewan is amazing in every role he plays, love him so much, he needed an acadmy award for Moulin Rouge... you're the best
Mike Davis | May 17, 2009 1:50 AM
Aside from the obvious movies, (and someone mentioned it) Brassed Off is an exceptional movie that's probably most known for the the sound byte Chumbawumba used as an intro to "Tubthumping". Thought I'd throw in a plug for it... one of my favorite McGregor movies.
Ken | May 17, 2009 12:51 AM
Great in Mrs. Potter, holding his own next to a superb Rene Zellweger.
He was also absolutely phenomenal in a small screen appearance as a liquor store robber in an episode of ER many years ago. Didn't know who he was then, and didn't really watch that show, but came across it the night it aired and couldn't take my eyes off of him. Something truly authentic in that performance.
Big Fish was a snooze-fest. Tim Burton is grossly overrated. Even Ewan couldn't salvage that dud.
Placebo | May 16, 2009 10:34 PM
OH! and Big Fish
that movie is brill, turely ACE!
missdurca | May 16, 2009 9:47 PM
A Life Less Ordinary (1997)
- it was brilliant.
Eye of the Beholder (1999)
- i loved it too.
and
Cassandra's Dream (2007)
I think, Mr. McGregor a brilliant talented actor.
He would deserve much more acknowledgements and attention.
Travis | May 16, 2009 7:40 PM
Shallow Grave was so amazingly suspenseful....his performance was in his younger years but packed a huge punch....
ChristianH | May 16, 2009 7:12 PM
THANK YOU for giving my favorite actor some credit!!!
I wish you would have included Big Fish on this list, but otherwise it's golden. Also, Stay is amazing.
Megan | May 16, 2009 3:09 PM
Moulin Rouge and Big Fish are some of my favorite movies! Ewan is wonderful in both. His voice in Moulin Rouge gives me chills. and though the Star Wars films were a bust, Ewan was a great Obi-Wan.
GG | May 16, 2009 1:04 PM
He's not the most underrated, but he certainly deserves more attention than he ever gets!
Gen | May 16, 2009 12:25 PM
I first became a die hard fan of Ewan's in his portrayal as Christian in Moulin Rouge but have since watched some of his older, more obscure films and found him just as captivating! He has a presence, a charm that no other actor - to me at least - embodies. If you watch him in Long Way Round & Long Way Down series you get a sense of how much family life is important to him and how genuine he remains despite his Hollywood success. I will always have a place for Ewan...now if I could only meet him...
Snorry | May 16, 2009 11:17 AM
I've only seen a couple of his movies, such as The Island, Big Fish, Moulin Rouge and the Star Wars movies, but it's so remarkable how he manages to portray an entirely different character in each of his films. For example when I watched Trainspotting I couldn't even believe it was him...so it's really great reading from people with that opinion as well.
slaggathor | May 16, 2009 10:48 AM
big fish
Cyn | May 16, 2009 10:39 AM
Long-time fan, long time believer, who flew 3000 miles to see him on stage in "Guys and Dolls" and deemed it the best trip ever. Live, in the flesh, those eyes are even more incredible.
I've never seen him give a bad performance, but feel compelled to point out "Black Hawk Down" - another example of his ability to pour himself into the skin of a character and make them real.
And isn't it wonderful that he absolutely, unquestionaly stole "Angels and Demons" out from under the big money names, by doing what he does best.
FV77 | May 16, 2009 9:28 AM
Big Fish all the way! His performance as a young "adventurer", as a "big fish" in a small town, was the core of Tim Burton's best film to date. And he did it without going commando. A Best Supporting Actor nomination would have been very, very fitting.
Nash Cotten | May 16, 2009 4:57 AM
I'm stunned Big Fish wasn't on here, I thought that may have been his best one
Michelle | May 16, 2009 3:33 AM
I think he is underrated and it's a shame. I think it's because he doesn't play the Hollywood game, doesn't care about it. He's his own man, doing his own thing. He's mainly with his family when he doesn't work but he's very down to earth, he likes ordinary people, and that's the reason. I bet despite his handsomeness and wittiness, most people don't really know who he is because he changes so much from role to role, a testament to his skills, but he's also very opinionated, and I think, hard to know. An enigma, but he needs the recognition he really does deserve.
hs | May 16, 2009 3:27 AM
i thought miss potter was a delight.
Jacob Pillis | May 16, 2009 2:52 AM
Clearly its his work in the latest three Star Wars movies. I mean they were terrible terrible movies and they haven't altered or downgraded his career in any way, so I think that speaks volumes to his talent.Definitely an underrated talent and deserves much more recognition than he has received.
Paula, Australia | May 16, 2009 12:30 AM
It is so rare today to see a REAL actor. Ewan has proven time & time again that he has an amazing range, and these days that is an amazing thing.
I have always preferred to see films that have challenged me, and have made me think. Example: Ewan in "Young Adam". Perhaps that is because many British/European film makers focus more on the truth and depth of a character and portray those characters realistically, and with all their human flaws.
So refreshing to see (as opposed to some of the predictable and superficial crap that comes out of Hollywood). Acting, to me is an art form - an actor painting emotions onto the canvas, building up layers. Ewan has proven he is an artist time & time again.Ewan does not need an Oscar to prove his worth. The value of a true actor goes far beyond that. Many of todays most popular actors play the same character over and over again, even though the films are actually different.
Ewan continues to shine in everything he does. Thanks for treating your viewing public to some wonderful stories, Ewan.
dlt | May 15, 2009 11:52 PM
McGregor's in a lot of films. Does that make him "underrated".
Velvet Goldmine is fantasy, not biography
Mads | May 15, 2009 11:43 PM
Ewan got a tiny feature in the 2006 film Stormbreaker, and even from that I could tell he's a great actor.
Everett | May 15, 2009 10:52 PM
Thanks for the overdue tribute to McGregor's work. I had the privilege of seeing Ewan in a acclaimed production of "Guys and Dolls" in London a few years ago and I can say without hesitation that he is even better on the stage!
Tim | May 15, 2009 10:28 PM
Big Fish directed by Tim Burton is worth a mention as well.
Anonymous | May 15, 2009 9:41 PM
Big Fish?
Matt | May 15, 2009 8:52 PM
"Nora" I thought was a great film, and I thought he was a perfect choice to play James Joyce.
Anonymous | May 15, 2009 8:39 PM
I've thought that he's been underrated for a very long time now. He is a brilliant actor.
Jar Jar Binks | May 15, 2009 8:07 PM
The Phantom Menace
char | May 15, 2009 7:46 PM
Ewan is a fabulous actor and my favoirte is Moulin Rouge which he definitely was over looked in.
I can't think of any of Ewan's films that I didn't like him in.
All films are worthy of watching.
Pillow Book--Scarlet & Black ---Solid geometry--Young Adam--Down With Love-Brassed Off- The Island-Stay-Eye of the Beholder-Rogue Trader-Miss Potter-Casandra's Dream-Decepiton- Incendiary- are just a few that are overlooked.
Of course I love-- Trainspottihg and Shallow.
All his documentries too.
Ok --- I love all his work.
Ewan is a working actor, and will be acting as long as he wants to.
Angels & Demons --Ewan was teriffic.
And he has a wonderful speaking and singing voice.
Anonymous | May 15, 2009 6:52 PM
In the totally underrated A Life Less Ordinary, Ewan's hilarious, sweet and sexy. He sings karaoke to Beyond the Sea too. Oh and then there's The Pillow Book... not to be missed.
Rob | May 15, 2009 6:29 PM
I am so glad someone is giving attention to "Stay." My friends and I stumbled across it at Blockbuster one night and decided to rent it on a whim. It is now probably one of my top ten all-time faves. It's pretty amazing. I was shocked that I hadn't heard of it before then. And yet I've heard so much about "Beverly Hills Chihuahua"...something is clearly wrong with the world.
Carolyn | May 15, 2009 4:56 PM
While Trainspotting is still a hands-down favorite, and I fall in love again every time I hear Ewan sing in Moulin Rouge, the most I've enjoyed Ewan lately is watching the two documentaries he made with his best friend Charley Boorman - Long Way Round and Long Way Down... Fantastic and inspiring!
Diane Bagnarelli | May 15, 2009 3:49 PM
I love them all. Moulin Rouge is my favorite but he is so convincing in all the others as well.