Not many actors have made movies audiences treasure like Ewan McGregor. Since the 1990’s, McGregor has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s destructive drug users, nightclub singers or shining authors, McGregor has portrayed many strong characters. Given the number of movies he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Moulin Rouge!
The Moulin Rouge is a famous French nightclub that always impressed my father. I recall with nostalgia fond memories of a great father that appreciated old nightclubs in Paris. Fond of Paris, he would always praise famous French nightclubs that he considered to be precious. The nightclub Moulin Rouge always held a place in his heart that was precious. In 2001, Ewan McGregor honoured the iconic French nightclub in his movie “Moulin Rouge!”. In the greatest role of his career, McGregor portrayed a depressed writer that falls in love with a nightclub singer at the Moulin Rouge in a doomed affair causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. McGregor has spent most of his career by playing brave action heroes in big-budget blockbusters. With “Moulin Rouge!”, however, the actor showcased rare flair for performing melodies that he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Nicole Kidman who is also outstanding, McGregor created a great musical that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Satine and Christian first meet in the Moulin Rouge beginning their romantic affair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Moulin Rouge” Ewan McGregor’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about French nightclubs, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about the importance of finding one’s identity which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with the history of the Moulin Rouge to appreciate it. Nearly 30 years following the release of a musical about lovers in a doomed affair, its a bold reminder of a great actor that has built a strong career producing unforgettable movies about which audiences always care.
2. Big Fish
Fathers are inspirational figures that shaped my identity. As far back as I can remember, I’ve always shared a strong bond with my father. An inspiring role model, he has often inspired me to achieve goals that I am pursuing. As someone treasuring a great father that I grew up to cherish, I appreciated “Big Fish”. Released in 2003, Ewan McGregor’s movie depicted father-son relationships. In the most thoughtful role of his career, McGregor portrayed an aging father recounting memories of his youth to his son causing despair. McGregor has always had an aptitude for playing anxious characters under pressure, and “Big Fish” showcased his strengths as an actor. Working alongside Helena Bonham Carter who is also amazing, McGregor created a portrait of fatherhood that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Edward first discovers that the woman he wants to marry is engaged causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Big Fish” masterpiece is its appeal. Unlike most Tim Burton movies, it tackles themes of fatherhood that everyone would relate to. A fantastic portrait of fatherhood, it’s a fabulous reminder of an actor that has made unforgettable movies becoming an icon in Hollywood.
3. Doctor Sleep
“The Shining” is a classic horror movie that my mother always found inspiring. I remember a mother that loved a classic film about children whose lives are in grave danger. She would often love to tell stories about the Overlook Hotel that put her under a magical spell. In 2019, Ewan McGregor honoured the classic horror film about writers that struggle to sleep in her movie “Doctor Sleep”. In the most frightening role of his career, McGregor portrayed a writer haunted by memories of childhood trauma causing despair. With “Doctor Sleep”, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by making his first ever horror movie. McGregor showcased flair for evoking terror he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Rebecca Ferguson who is also amazing, McGregor honoured a classic horror movie about hotels that are shining. For instance, the scene in which Danny becomes aware of a kid with shining powers causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Doctor Sleep” a horror classic is its universal appeal. Unlike Stanley Kubrick’s original film, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. As powerful as the Overlook Hotel, it’s a remarkable reminder of a commemorated actor with unforgettable stories to tell that has manufactured memorable movies which excel.
4. The Impossible
Movies about survival have always resonated with me. At an early age, my family faced a bombing in Saudi Arabia that caused damage. I recall with nostalgia memories of a bombing that caused trauma in Saudi Arabia. Through my parent’s drive to survive, I made it out of the bombing without a scratch alive. As someone grateful for surviving a disaster that was impossible, I appreciated “The Impossible”. Released in 2012, Ewan McGregor’s movie captured a family surviving an impossible tsunami. In the most emotional role of his career, McGregor portrayed a protective father facing despair. McGregor has always had an aptitude for playing emotional characters under intense pressure, and “The Impossible” showcased his strengths as an actor. Working alongside Naomi Watts who is also amazing, McGregor created a portrait of survival that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Henry becomes aware of frightening tsunamis causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Impossible” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a commemorated message about survival which would resonate with everyone. As powerful as the Bennett family’s desire for survival, it’s a remarkable reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured movies which audiences consider special.
5. Star Wars: The Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars is a spectacular science-fiction franchise that shaped my teacher’s identity. Years ago, I developed powerful bonds with a teacher that was a fan of the franchise. He was a huge fan of a franchise about starry galaxies that made him feel happy. In 2005, Ewan McGregor honoured the iconic franchise about evil Sith lords in his movie “Star Wars: The Revenge of the Sith”. In the most heroic role of his career, McGregor portrayed a wise mentor facing despair. As Obi-Wan Kenobi, McGregor did an extraordinary job of portraying an iconic character in the Star Wars franchise. Working alongside Hayden Christensen who is also outstanding, McGregor honoured a franchise about galaxies that are breathtaking. For instance, the scene in which Obi-Wan has a tense duel with Anakin leading to his death causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Revenge of the Sith” a great movie is universal appeal. Unlike most movies in the Star Wars franchise, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. A spectacular tribute to a franchise created a long time ago in a galaxy far far away, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that has made movies which deserve to be celebrated today.
6. Trainspotting
Drug addiction is a painful process rarely depicted in movies with success. Hollywood has often struggled to depict drug use that’s misunderstood. In an industry avoiding a subject that’s disturbing, it’s worth praising “Trainspotting”. Released in 1996, Ewan McGregor’s movie offered a powerful portrait of heroine addicts in Britain. In the most psychotic role of his career, McGregor portrayed a heroine addict struggling to overcome a severe addiction causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a destructive drug user. McGregor showcased rare bravery as an actor by playing a drug addict that faces tragedy. A powerful portrait of drug addiction causing lives of British men to deteriorate, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has made memorable movies which audiences appreciate.
7. Christopher Robin
When it comes to beloved cartoon characters that children value, it’s worth discussing Winnie the Pooh. Since his creation in the 1920’s, the teddy bear has appeared in several memorable movies. In 2018, Ewan McGregor honoured the iconic character in his movie “Christopher Robin”. In the most magical role of his career, McGregor portrayed the renowned author that created the teddy bear about which children care. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a legendary author that’s well-known. Working alongside Hayley Atwell who is also outstanding, McGregor honoured a commemorated teddy bear that’s inspiring. A wonderful tribute towards Winnie the Pooh, it’s a powerful reminder of a commemorated actor that has always manufactured memorable movies which audiences value.
8. Black Hawk Down
Over the past decade, the war movie genre has declined in quality. With their loud battle sequences, poor storytelling and cartoonish characters, most war movies have become a chore to sit through. However, “Black Hawk Down” is an exception. Released in 2001, Ewan McGregor’s movie offered a powerful portrait of the Battle of Mogadishu. In the most conflicted role of his career, McGregor portrayed a military commander participating in warfare. It’s a commemorated role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show in a supporting role. Working alongside Tom Hardy who is also amazing, McGregor created a war movie that’s compelling. As precious as the Black Hawk helicopter, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has always manufactured unforgettable movies which audiences treasure.
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9. Beginners
Terminal illness is a sensitive subject rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has often struggled to tell stories about ill patients facing tragedies. In an industry ignoring seniors that face disasters, it’s worth praising “Beginners”. Released in 2009, Ewan McGregor’s movie offered a realistic portrait of terminal illness. In the most tragic role of his career, McGregor portrayed a writer struggling to care for a terminally ill father facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase rare emotional range he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Christopher Plummer who is also amazing, McGregor created a portrait of terminal illness that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of terminal illness, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has become a beloved icon in the entertainment business.
10. Jack the Giant Slayer
Ewan McGregor hasn’t always made great movies that audiences treasure. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Jack the Giant Slayer” falls into the latter category. Released in 2013, Bryan Singer’s blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, McGregor portrayed a king seeking to protect his palace from giants evoking despair. McGregor brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Jack the Giant Slayer” is a bad movie, it honoured the actor’s legacy. As powerful as giants Jack seeks to slay, it’s a bold reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to portray strong characters in unforgettable movies I will forever treasure for motivating me to achieve my dreams of film criticism today.
The Film Buff 