This site is all about what people think of Ewan McGregor. By clicking on the quotes link in the site map box to your right you can read quotes about the man from over 200 of his peers, co-workers, family-members and friends. The reviews link will allow you to read what the press think of him and awards will outline the accolades he's won. The spotlight link will bring you to a small sample of quotes and reviews on a particular theme. Finally, if you are only interested in the most recent additions to the site, you'll find those below.

I'm baaaaack! I had MAJOR computer issues, so this has not been updated in a long time. I've got my whole day set aside tomorrow to catch up, so expect a big update by Sunday evening. Sorry and thanks for your patience.

Michelle

Albert Finney (actor Big Fish - Edward Bloom)
(on Ewan playing the younger version of his character)
Well, he’s not as good-looking, of course (laughing). No, I think Ewan’s a very good [actor]. I think he’s engaging as an actor. He’s very honest and direct, and he seems to have a very good time. In England, he’s opening about eight films this summer. He’s very different in them, and he keeps popping out of different cupboards with these characters. He seems to be having a lovely ride and taking it very well. I think he’s a joy as a young man. I was delighted that he was playing it. about.com, December 2003 (thank you ParisRouge)

REVIEWS

Big Fish (2003)

Ewan McGregor, freed from his Star Wars straitjacket, steps in to play the young Edward, and the tall tales begin. McGregor, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Finney in his Tom Jones days, is wonderfully engaging. Peter Travers, Rolling Stone, November 2003

As the young man seen in mythic flashbacks, McGregor gets to stare in wide-eyed wonder at the fabulous adventures, but his is mostly a reactive role. Kirk Honeycutt, The Hollywood Reporter, November 30 2003

As the young Bloom, McGregor is enthusiastic almost to a fault, a bit thickly laying on the bright smile and winning ways while still resembling his debonair '50s playboy from "Down With Love." Todd McCarthy, Variety, November 30 2003

Ewan McGregor and Albert Finney shine as young and old incarnations of Edward Bloom, whose tall tales are at the heart of the film. BBC, Adrian Hennigan, December 2 2003 (thank you Mary)

Dreamboat du jour McGregor heading an attractive cast. Magic realism rampant on a bed of family angst. Should work. Doesn't, though. Richard Corliss, Time Magazine, December 8 2003

The young Edward is played by Ewan MacGregor, whose humble heroism and self-effacing charisma recall Tom Hanks, James Stewart and other emotionally transparent leading men. His amazing performance deserves awards but probably won’t get any; effortless excellence is rarely acknowledged. New York Press, Matt Zoller Seitz, December 9 2003 (thank you ParisRouge)

Young Edward is turned into an obnoxious hustler by McGregor, who still may have a hangover from "Down With Love." New York Newsday, December 10 2003 (thank you ParisRouge)

He's a lean and happy young man, played by the spectacularly ingratiating Ewan McGregor, agleam with valor and optimism (…) McGregor may be the only young actor today who can summon the idealized ardor of a vintage Hollywood leading man. His ebullient, gap-toothed gaze is just off-center enough to make his handsomeness look like it belongs to reality. Here, as in ''Moulin Rouge,'' you fall in love with Ewan McGregor falling in love. Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly, December 12 2003 (thank you Gail and Mary)

McGregor is likably brash as a young man out to conquer the world. People Magazine, December 2003 (thank you Barbara)

As the young Edward Bloom, Ewan McGregor is charming and so believably earnest. It is becoming a given that McGregor always shines brightest when reality slips to the side. It's the beaming grin that does it, lighting his path through the most unlikely of situations. It worked like a charm in Moulin Rouge! and it works even harder in Big Fish. Thomas L. Strickland, Jive Magazine, December 2003

Albert Finney (actor Big Fish - Edward Bloom)
(on Ewan portraying the younger version of his character)
I think Ewan's very good. I think he's engaging as an actor. He's very honest and direct, and he seems to have a very good time. I think he's a joy as a young man, so I was delighted that he was playing it. SciFi Wire, December 2 2003 (thank you Melinda)

Alessandro Nivola (actor)
(how he and wife Emily Mortimer handle sex scenes with other actors)
It really hasn't been a problem, at least not yet, between us. I've had to watch her get smeared with custard by Ewan McGregor (in Young Adam) so it's tit for tat. But we've both made efforts, when we've been playing romantically opposite someone, to try to introduce each other to them and make them part of our lives for that period. I got to know Ewan a bit during the time they were filming and he was absolutely lovely. He made a big effort to be friendly to me. So you do whatever you can to make it easier on each other. contactmusic.com, November 28 2003 (thank you Karen)

Kelly Macdonald (actor Trainspotting)
(about her sex scene with Ewan)
To hide my extreme panic, I said it was OK. I could hardly say, sorry, my buttocks are lopsided. When I got the part and that day came, I remember having a wee talk with myself in the shower in the morning, telling myself to go for it. Ewan was brilliant; he didn't make a big deal about it at all. I still felt we had to get it right in a few takes, or else it's like the crew are sitting there with scorecards. The Observer, November 23 2003

Evan Rachel Wood (actor)
(about Ewan)
He's not afraid to be himself. He wears eyeliner! Guys wearing eyeliner is the sexiest thing. It takes a lot of guts for a guy to put on makeup. People Magazine, December 1 2003 (thank you Mel)

REVIEW

Big Fish (2003)
All of the campy stuff that McGregor worked on in "Moulin Rouge!" and "Down With Love" finally comes to fruition here; it’s as if we had to endure those performances to enjoy this one. He’s extraordinary, at last. Roger Friedman, Fox News, November 18 2003 (thank you Claude)