MovieChat Forums > Long Way Down (2007) Discussion > Ewan a bit too egotistical...

Ewan a bit too egotistical...

posted 16 years ago by Twobie
17 replies | jump to latest

Maybe I'm reading a bit too much into it (also I've only currently seen the 1st 3 episodes) but IMO Ewan this time around seems a little more egotistical compared to the Long Way Round. In the LWR he just seemed a little more humbled by the whole thing and came off as a more down to earth person. He was more interested in bike riding then being recognised; however, in the LWD he's appeared to be a little more interested in being recognised then in the journey. In Tunisia for example he was a bit upset that when he visited the original Star Wars set nobody recognised him, and was gloating in (forget which country it was) the cafe about how that kid recognised him, and how he was a little bitter about Charley's name being printed before his on that banner (I'm probably reading a little too much into it).

Egotism and celebrities go together like bread and butter so its only natural that he may be a little cocky, but does anyone else think he was a bit more egotistical in this journey?

Grubenstyle ~Funk Rock
http://www.grubenstyle.com/

[–] letterspattyd 16 years ago

I didn't read it that way at all. Ewan and Charley always compete so having Charley's name first was just fodder for Ewan and Charley to tease each other. And I think that Ewan was very nervous he'd be recognized in Tunisia so when it didn't happen he was almost disappointed. I'm sure when we see more outtakes (or hopefully an extended version of the show) there will be LOTS of teasing by Charley that Ewan wasn't recognized as Obi Wan by all the Star Wars fans.

I thought the biggest problem with LWD had more to do with the tension to get the trip done fast AND having Eve join the trip. In my opinion a 'family' bike trip with Eve and Ewan alone would have been better than her joining in on the lads' trip. I was worried for her and the McGregor children while she was on the trip. It just seemed rather foolish for her to have joined them and there was a definite change in the dynamics having her along that I didn't enjoy. The fact that she'd never ridden a bike before just blew me away. Why she thought she could handle Africa just astounded me! Still she did it so I have to give her some credit for going through with what she wanted. I just hope that next time it will be a boys only trip again.

That's just my personal take on it.

[–] Twobie 16 years ago

I've seen from the 1st episode that there was a bit of apprehension about the concept of Eve joining them, but when she does join up with them on the journey is there a lot more tension? Or does everybody handle it ok?

Grubenstyle ~Funk Rock
http://www.grubenstyle.com/

[–] Glaramara 16 years ago

There's not much when she joins them, and it's not for long. I don't know why everyone seems to be making such a fuss of her joining, although I suspect they're using her as a scapegoat for not enjoying LWD as much as LWR.

[–] anika1 16 years ago

In Tunisia for example he was a bit upset that when he visited the original Star Wars set nobody recognised him, and was gloating in (forget which country it was) the cafe about how that kid recognised him, and how he was a little bitter about Charley's name being printed before his on that banner (I'm probably reading a little too much into it).

Egotism and celebrities go together like bread and butter so its only natural that he may be a little cocky, but does anyone else think he was a bit more egotistical in this journey?

He was joking! As was already mentioned, he and Charley tease each other and are competitive with each other in a joking way all the time. Ewan didn't come across as egotistical to me at all. I think you're definitely reading something into it that wasn't there. He's not the egotistical type.

And I can't take to the sky before I like it on the ground ~ KT Tunstall

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] tim-2192 16 years ago

He was DEFINATELY joking and the joking and competition isn't an actor thing but an English/UK thing. Anyone I know from the British Isles has that kind of humor. And the most famous ones always keep good friends near because they're not afraid to straighten you out. Even Sting, arguably one of the biggest rock stars in the past 20 years, is kept in check by his mates. In a recent interview it showed a long time friend calling him "your royal highness" when he didn't have cash for the pub.

[–] thadcastle 12 years ago

I think it was more that she reminded them of that kid we all had to play with when we were young. The one who wasn't allowed out as late, not supposed to go outside the block, too small to climb the trees and too clutsy to keep up on a pedal bike.

Everyone despises the kid because he holds you back and you don't feel really free any more, it might even be an evolutionary instinct to get rid of the chaff in a group. The fun with this theory is that if you point out you never knew a kid like this, you might have been the kid.

But I agree, she is a scapegoat. Just more for the people in your life that stop you having fun rather than to make excuses for a series.

[–] kingcarcas 10 years ago

Seems pretty cool to me for a celebrity, so did his wife which is hilarious how people are calling HER selfish for wanting to join on a short part of the trip. No it's the not husband who is selfish- taking off for months at a time and leaving her with the kids- nope!

Assume nothing; Question everything

[–] stevewest-1 16 years ago

In the first one he did his best to be a regular person except for where his name might help him, in this one he seemed to let himself get things his way a little too often (eg. not putting the brakes on his wife joining them).
I guess his day job is as a (moderately) big-name celebrity so it would be very easy for him to fall into that behaviour.

[–] ask_reggie 16 years ago

To me Ewan seems very down to earth and pokes fun at his own "Celebrity"...both times you've mentioned he was sooo taking the mickey.

its not just me, nobody likes you!

[–] enzo_Q 15 years ago

He wasn't egotistical at all. He was joking U stupid a$$ OP...
Some people are so mean and hopelessly stupid...

Ewan is one of the most down to earth celebrity out there. He treated every person he met during the trip with most respect, calling every African elderly man 'Sir' for example.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] Nikon11 14 years ago

Yeah, typical or not - and joking or not, he was surprised, if not somewhat disappointed when he wasn't noticed in Tunisia.

[–] out-of-control-87 14 years ago

Yeah, typical or not - and joking or not, he was surprised, if not somewhat disappointed when he wasn't noticed in Tunisia.

He was definitely poking fun at himself, and really, the Star Wars franchise is was gave Ewan the majority of his fans. Obviously he was famous before that, but Star Wars is what he is best know for. Since he was in a place that would be populated by only Star Wars fans, it would be logical to expect to be recognized. That doesn't make him big headed, in makes him realistic. In the show he says "I rather big-headedly expected to be mobbed," and then he laughs about it. He does that throughout the whole show and also in Long Way Round, though admittedly not as much. He is not egotistical or full of his fame at all.

My knight in shining armor turned out to be a loser in aluminum foil <3

[–] Nikon11 14 years ago

It wasn't the worst case of having a big head. But he probably prepared himself for being mobbed, and when it didn't happen, I think that it was a bit of a let-down for him.

[–] 14 years ago

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