Happy Birthday, Ewan McGregor
Thursday, March 31, 2016 at 7:18PM 
Kieran, here. Today, we celebrate the birthday of one of the screen’s most magnetic (and gallingly non-Oscar nominated) stars, Ewan McGregor.
Looking at McGregor’s filmography, there are definite peaks and valleys though that's to be expected with any performer who has been active for over two decades. For McGregor, a lot of the valleys occurred in recent years, but man…those peaks are impressive, aren’t they? The best of Ewan McGregor makes us hopeful for what the future holds for the talented Scotsman. He makes his feature-film directorial debut this year with American Pastoral, which he also stars in alongside Jennifer Connelly, Dakota Fanning and “Orange is the New Black” breakout star (and awards magnet) Uzo Aduba. He also has a sequel to Trainspotting, the role that put him on the map, in the works. Rather than speculating about who he should work with, what projects he should choose and what direction he should take, we do what is done far too seldom for actors who have given us indelible screen performances—we simply say 'thank you' and 'more please'.
His 5 Most Impressive Turns
5. Big Fish (2003) – I gather this will be a polarizing choice but have any of Tim Burton’s recent outings given us a turn as impressive and lived-in as McGregor’s here? McGregor is versatile, but he shines brightest and shows great skill when he's playing bright-eyed optimism as evidenced by Big Fish (and the top choice below.)
4. Trainspotting (1996) – Confession: I’m not as enamored with Trainspotting as most, but his performance is justifiably lauded and definitely worth your time. He renders addiction believably and charismatically in this black comedy. It’s an understandable worthy introduction to McGregor.
3. Beginners (2011) – It was McGregor’s co-star Christopher Plummer who (very deservedly) won an Academy Award for Mike Mills quirky and plaintive romantic drama, but McGregor anchors the piece so skillfully. McGregor imbues Oliver with beautiful specificity and world-weary warmth. Definitely worth a revisit for anyone who hasn’t seen the film since 2011.
2. Velvet Goldmine (1998) – When McGregor’s Curt Wild enters Todd Haynes’ colorful, electric narrative, a powerful shift is clearly felt. The way Brian’s (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) eyes light up with literal heart graphics when first gazing upon Curt Wild is completely appropriate. McGregor’s magnetism is undeniable. You can hardly take your eyes off of him.
1. Moulin Rouge! (2001) – How McGregor starred in a Best Picture nominee yet failed to land a slot on the 2001 Oscar Best Actor roster (which included Sean Penn for I Am Sam!) is still hard to fathom. Nicole Kidman’s sly, exuberant turn as the mysterious Satine wouldn't work half as well if it hadn't been a duet w/ Ewan McGregor’s career best. He certainly deserved to be a Best Actor nominee and I'd argue the winner.
Happy 45th Birthday, Ewan!
What’s your favorite Ewan McGregor performance?
Reader Comments (43)
I like all of your choices, and like "Moulin Rouge" as first place. I'm glad to see that you stuck up for "Big Fish" (which has some good moments) and the wonderful "Beginners".
I would put "Beginners" into second place as it has that Father/Son relationship with Christopher Plummer. I loved Plummer so much in that film, and count his Oscar win as one of my all time favourites.
"Ghostwriter" is easily one of his best roles and would be on my list.
Finally, I liked "Salmon Fishing", it may not have stretched his talents but it has charm. Also the lethally funny KST as the political adviser.
I like all the performances you mentioned, LadyEdith. The Ghostwriter was really fighting with Big Fish for that fifth slot.
Trainspotting... still....
I would definitely bump "Big Fish" in favor of "Down with Love".
sacrilege on this site but way back when Moulin Rouge was released I thought Ewan outclassed Kidman by miles. It's still my favorite perf of his but I've grown as a person and now understand that it's a beautifully modulated duet, equally fantastic by the pair of them.
See, though I do like Ewan, I actually think Gene Hackman for The Royal Tenenbaums was probably more likely in 2001.
Ghost Writer and Down with Love are two of my favourites. His sexy swingers walk in Down With Love always makes me smile. I also liked him in the Star Wars movies.
I'm looking forward to seeing his desert picture and Our Kind of Traitor.
Let's not forget his powerful turn in The Impossible! Between that and everything listed, the fact that he's yet to even be nominated is confounding.
Happy to see some fans of Down with Love. I am very fond of that film.
So many. His debut in TV's LIPSTICK ON YOUR COLLAR is fantastic. I thought he was terrific in THE GHOST WRITER, DOWN WITH LOVE and THE IMPOSSIBLE too. He effortlessly lifts fluff like SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN and makes it watchable. And he is such a *gracious* actor - he usually has great chemistry with his co-stars.
But for me, MOULIN ROUGE! remains top of the heap. And his motorcycle odyssey series LONG WAY ROUND is a personal favourite because he seems like a genuinely down-to-earth and approachable guy.
Glad to see an undersung actor get some love and attention for his birthday. He's fantastic in all those movies, and completely agree on #1. He should have snagged that Oscar (although Denzel Washington is a very close second for me that year, and one of the most deserving winners in that category). I especially love the arc McGregor's character undergoes in Moulin Rouge, from wide-eyed and innocent bohemian, to heartbroken and devastated lover. He and Nicole had great chemistry.
By far, Moulin Rouge. Not that any of his other performances aren't worthy but that's where I fell in love. The smile and that voice. I legit can't think of anyone else who could have brought more to that part than he did.
He's the reason I can no longer be pissed at the live action Beauty and the Beast movie. That's my all time favorite Disney movie and it really doesn't need the live action but even the idea of Ewan as Lumiere singing "Be Our Guest" makes my entire body smile.
Ewan deserves so much more success.
(and I'll echo the Down with Love love. Especially that delightfully gratuitous musical number at the closing credits.)
He is so overdue for an Oscar nomination. Has anyone seen Last Days in the Desert? Is there promise in that one? He is playing Jesus.
Great list! The top four all made my personal awards, with a win for MR!
Murtada -- it's not actually sacrilege on this sitee. Ewan won my gold medal and Nicole my silver that year :) of course there was no crazy ass genius mulholland drive happening on the male actor side to make the vote confusing.
Kieran -- yeah the big fish choice raised quite an eyebrow, mine. I think the movie is bad and nothing about it is particularly good but if i were doing a top 5 of Ewans I would include the other 4 mentioned (they feel inarguable to me as his highlights though the order probably varies from person to person) and the 5th would be a tossup between a whole bunch of pictures (shallow grave, pillow book, down with love, the impossible, ghostwriter)
Tom -- i've seen it. He's good in it as Jesus and the Devil both but it's a very slight film.
I don't even remember him having much buzz for "Moulin Rouge", even though the movie and Nicole had buzz.
And he certainly gave it the old college try in "Star Wars", unlike some behind the scenes people.
YES!!!!
Moulin Rouge and Beginners!
In my long tradition of TFE heresies, I mist confess that I don't have any particular affection for Ewan McGregor. Even Moulin Rouge and Beginners, which are the two movies I think he truly is great, I am 100% more into his costars (Nicole Kidman and Melanie Laurent), or the supporting players (Jim Broadbent and, especially, Christopher Plummer). Heck, in Moulin Rouge I'm likely to gush about those two bit players that do the Tango of Roxanne than Ewan McGregor.
Maybe it's his portrayal of Obi Wan Kenobi? I need a performance on the level of a Back Swan tour-de-Force to forgive anyone involved in the Star Wars prequels.
He was sexy and charming in Down With Love. I'm very surprised that is not on the list.
Trainspotting
Moulin Rouge!
Beginners
The Ghost Writer
Down with Love
Great list! I loved his two doc series Long Way Down and Long Way Around where he and his buddy travel the world on motorcycles. So charming and delightful.
I first sat up in my movie seat and took notice of Ewan McGregor in the black comedy thriller "Shallow Grave."
And I just re-watched one of my favorite McGregor movies, The Pillow Book. Ewan is so achingly romantic and sexy in this!
Hard to pick one favorite performance, I used to be obsessed with him and have watched all of his movies. Probably the only time I really betrayed my actressexuality was with him, oh my. He's one of the most interesting working actors period, he has such a range and made some amazing choices as far as roles go. Too bad he kinda cooled off this past few years.
Love Ewan and he really chooses some good films to be in it, but no one will mention his perfect supporting performance in I Love You, Phillip Morris?
Can't believe noone mentioned I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS. He was fantastic in that.
I loved Him in "The Impossible" & never understood why Naomi Watts got all the love when he deserved as much, perhaps more love for his heartbreaking turn.
I'm very much with Carmen Sandiego on Ewan MacGregor (her Moulin Rouge assessment is perfect). The top 4 of this list are definitely his career highlights and he's very good in all of them, but he's kind of a recessive (if appealing) screen presence for me. Apart from those four roles, I generally don't hate him and I generally don't particularly like/love him. He's just there. I do think it's possible that his career would be better/more interesting if there were more quality parts for UK actors available in the romantic comedy/musical/drama sweetspot. He might be a good candidate for that other post about actors who would have thrived under the studio system.
He's so lovely in Big Fish. Sigh.
Hopping on the DOWN WITH LOVE train here. It's a perfect match to his brand of charm and sense of humor. He's also never been sexier, and that's after being naked all the damn time in other movies.
Ewan was awesome in Moulin Rouge!. Tango de la Roxanne gives me Goosebumps every time.
"Why does my heart cry? Feelings I can't fight..."
He should do more musicals!
And yes, he's also great in Down with Love and I love you Philip Morris. Both very underrated movies.
Really really liked him and Zellweger in Down with Love. Definitely an honorable mention for me.
I bought a suit exactly like Ewan's in The Pillow Book since I couldn't have what was underneath it. :-)
The first time I ever saw him was in Shallow Grave, and it's still one of my favourite performances and one of my favourite films,
He is fun and sexy in "Down With Love".
Moulin Rouge wouldn't have worked with any other actor in his role. Ewan captures an earnest, unabashed romanticism that is all too rare in our overly ironic, sadly cynical age.
He elevates every film he's in. But my vote still goes - I can't pick one...IMO the most overlooked actor Oscar wise working today.
Trainspotting
Cassandra's Dream
Moulin Rouge
Young Adam
Ghost Writer
Shallow Grave
I Love You PhIIlip Morris
Velvet Goldmine
I couldn't watch Trainspotting. I tried because Ewan, but just no. So glad to see Big Fish on your list. For me:
Moulin Rouge
Velvet Goldmine
Big Fish
Down with Love
The Impossible
Big Fish wouldn't be on my list, but it's true that he's such a captivating romantic lead. My fifth slot probably would have gone to I Love, Philip Morris, which is such a sly spin on his usual open-eyed persona. He's really very good in The Impossible too, and I wish they'd not chosen to fraudulently campaign Tom Holland in Supporting and instead mounted more of a campaign for McGregor there. But it's possible that I'm misremembering.
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