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The movie boasts a talented ensemble, depicting the real-life story of coach Ingle, who guided a brash Sheffield youth from Middle Eastern migrant parents. Known as “Prince” Naseem Hamed, the fighter was taught to confront racist bullies and transformed into a celebrity world champion in the late 90s. The trainer nurtured his showboating arrogance and powerful punches, but after achieving wealth, Hamed betrayed his mentor, cutting him out and making him a blend of John Falstaff and Danny Rose.

Performers and Roles

Brosnan plays the trainer; Amir El-Masry embodies the part of the prince, and Stephens appears as the assertive promoter Warren, who saw the potential that Ingle had uncovered.

Film’s Shortcomings

Yet, the movie frankly misses the fighter’s agility: the boxing sequences run smoothly, but the crucial story in between is repeatedly flat and one-note. There is no nuance or light and shade in the depiction of the protagonist himself, and the actor, an otherwise excellent talent, isn’t given the chance to show any subtlety or much of what might make his character really interesting – even though he’s obviously been training and appears convincing in the boxing arena.

Problems with Script and Sound

The story is often burdened by utilitarian, explanatory dialogue that tell you exactly what is going on and what we are supposed to be thinking (“You started your career at age seven …”). This is the sort of dialogue that digital producers call “second-screen”, making sure you know what’s going on while you’re viewing the film but also glancing at your phone. Additionally, the score is overpowering, sometimes almost deafening, especially in the moment where the boxer gets overexcited visiting the promoter in his palatial residence.

Acting and Pivotal Scenes

While El-Masry and Brosnan do their considerable best, their relationship doesn’t quite comes to life, and the big set-piece boxing moments are often anticlimactically cut short. A key moment is certainly when, goaded past his limit in the gym one day by the boxer as a delusional “elder”, the trainer actually proposes to get in the ring and box him. All present in the gym is stunned and uneasy. How exactly is this extremely risky confrontation going to play out? How precisely the outcome? Surely the Prince is going to defeat him? Or will he emotionally hold back? The resolution remains ambiguous.

Highlights and Humor

That’s not to say that there aren’t some good moments. Brosnan elicits humor when his character informs a journalist what he’s instructing the kids from his neighborhood: to reject prejudice and when you meet a paedophile, “Hit them in the bollocks”. Amusing too when the boxer squirms at the silly antics the coach makes him do in the early days: acting like the “beast from the East”.

Storyline and Final Thoughts

Regarding the rift, the movie shows this as being exacerbated by a revealing book that Ingle is supposed to have written (a story element evidently modified from another source), and there is an intriguingly imagined last discussion – however the heartfelt homage that the boxer is reportedly paid to Ingle after his death is merely referenced in the end titles, and not shown on film. Some engaging content in this film, but the punches don’t land.

Giant screened at the festival and is available in British and Irish theaters from 9 January.