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

[pickwick.livejournal.com]

Have you seen Jude? (Based on Jude the Obscure). Chris Eccleston is Jude, and he's fantastic. I'm a far bigger fan of Eccleston than McGregor in terms of acting, and indeed to look at, for some reason - I have strange tastes :o/

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen Jude, but I can imagine Eccleston is terrific in it.

He has a craggy, characterful face. McGregor, on the other hand, is boyish and cute.

[violaviolet.livejournal.com]

Ewan does do a decent voice impression of Alec Guinness in the new Star Wars flicks. He's ok, but I agree that Eccelston is a far more interesting actor to watch.

[saskia139.livejournal.com]

I went through about two years of being absolutely mad about McGregor, and now I can't figure out why. He's sharply funny in Shallow Grave, but Eccleston's deterioration is what the film is really about. Trainspotting would have been a far different and perhaps better film with Eccleston as Renton. *ponders*

[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?

[morrison-maiden.livejournal.com]

I like Ewan. I mean, I admit he's very pretty, but I'm glad that he can act too ;)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Ah well....

I was afraid this post might prove controversial. :)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

McGregor is a perfectly decent actor, I just don't think he has star quality.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I would have loved to see Eccleston as Renton.

But if Eccleston had done that part then maybe he would have been a huge star by now and they would never have offered him the Dr Who gig and we'd all have been the poorer.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

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

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Yeah, he's OK. Like you say, he's good-looking and he can act, I just don't think he's as amazing as his $6m per movie price-tag would suggest.