2. Emma Frank Churchill
Directed by Douglas McGrath, Emma is the 1996 film based on the novel of the same name by Jane Austen. The films stars Gwyneth Paltrow as the aforementioned Emma who sees herself as a romantic matchmaker after apparently matching a newly married couple attempts to prove her abilities, while unaware that she herself would be meeting the love of her life. One person she has feelings for is that of Ewan McGregor's Frank Churchill who despite looking incredibly ridiculous in period attire, gives a performance that shows that this role was far too much at such an early period in his career. Coming fresh off the success of Trainspotting, McGregor clearly felt that a differing change of genre and style of acting role was necessary but his performance is extremely awkward, with the chemistry between himself and Paltrow seeming forced and line delivery feeling strained. Incidentally, Ewan McGregor has stated that Emma is the one film in his career that he regrets doing, simply because he just wasnt very good. It seems that at this early point in his career he didnt quite possess the depth required to play the role and credit where credit is due, it is refreshingly honest to get such a candid opinion from a Hollywood star. Still, he was pretty bad. No excuses there.