Mcgregor and Eccleston

[poliphilo]

Ewan Mcgregor is doing Sky Masterson on the West End Stage.

I like it that Ewan can go from being Obi-Wan to appearing in a stage musical. People say he's without ego. Well, I can't wholly believe that- you don't get to be a film star by practising self-abegnation- but I know what they mean. He's a nice bloke.

But what I don't quite understand is why he's so goddam huge in the first place. I find him bland and forgettable. In Moulin Rouge the wallpaper had more charisma. He made his film debut in Shallow Grave alongside Christopher Eccleston and it was Eccleston I was watching. Apparently Eccleston thought he'd got the lead in Trainspotting sewn up and was devastated when egoless Ewan pipped him to it. I guess it all comes down to Ewan being prettier.

Eccleston's career since then has been largely in British television, culminating in Dr Who. He's wonderful in everything he attempts. Maybe now he'll get the big film roles that have eluded him.

And Ewan? Well, I'm happy for him. I'm happy to applaud his career. I just don't particularly want to watch him.

Comments

[solar-diablo.livejournal.com]

I have not seen Eccleston's face or his acting, so I'm unable to render a contrast and compare between the two. I will say that McGregor's face coupled with his Scottish accent (and ability to passibly fake an American one) undoubtedly did wonders for his career on this side of the pond. I know that from a physical standpoint he's one of the few men out there that makes this straight man think "Okay, I can see why women like him." As to his acting - I thought he was outstanding in Trainspotting, did very well in Moulin Rouge, but perhaps his best work was in Pillow Book and Blackhawk Down. As to the Star Wars series, he was the was the ONLY redeeming factor in those dogs (along with perhaps Samuel Jackson and Christopher Lee).

Wow - how's that for a serving of unsolicited opinion?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen Pillow book or Blackhawk Down- maybe they'd cause me to change my mind.