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This film features a talented ensemble, depicting the real-life story of coach Ingle, who guided a brash Yorkshire youth from Middle Eastern migrant parents. Known as Naseem Hamed, the youngster was taught to confront racist bullies and transformed into a celebrity world champion in the late 90s. Ingle cultivated his showboating arrogance and powerful punches, but after achieving wealth, Hamed turned against his coach, excluding him and turning him into a mix of John Falstaff and Danny Rose.

Cast and Characters

Brosnan plays the trainer; El-Masry takes on the part of Hamed, and Stephens appears as the bullish promoter Warren, who recognized the goldmine that Ingle had uncovered.

Film’s Shortcomings

However, the film frankly lacks the Prince’s fancy footwork: the fight scenes run smoothly, but the all-important story between them is repeatedly dull and monotonous. There is no nuance or contrast in the depiction of Hamed himself, and the actor, an otherwise outstanding performer, isn’t given the opportunity to show any depth or much of what might make his role really interesting – even though he’s clearly been training and looks very plausible in the boxing arena.

Problems with Script and Sound

The drama is often burdened by utilitarian, expositional dialogue that tell you exactly what is going on and what we are supposed to be thinking (“Your journey began your career at age seven …”). This is the kind of dialogue that digital producers call “second-screen”, making sure you understand what’s unfolding while you’re viewing the movie but also glancing at your device. Additionally, the score is overpowering, at times nearly overwhelming, particularly in the moment where Hamed gets too excited calling on Warren in his luxurious home.

Performances and Key Moments

Although the leads do their very utmost, their dynamic never really comes to life, and the big set-piece fight scenes are frequently disappointingly truncated. The most important scene is certainly when, provoked past his limit in the training facility one day by Hamed as a misguided “elder”, Ingle actually proposes to step into the ring and fight him. Everyone in the room is stunned and uneasy. In what way is this extremely risky standoff going to unfold? How precisely the outcome? Certainly the Prince is going to defeat him? Or will he emotionally hold back? The resolution remains ambiguous.

Bright Spots and Comedy

This isn’t to imply that there aren’t some good moments. Brosnan elicits humor when Ingle informs a journalist what he’s instructing the kids from his local community: to oppose prejudice and when you meet a paedophile, “Hit them in the groin”. Amusing too when Hamed fidgets at the ridiculous antics Ingle makes him do in the early days: posing as the “monster from the Middle East”.

Plot and Conclusion

As for the falling out, the film shows this as being exacerbated by a revealing book that the trainer is supposed to have authored (a story element clearly modified from prior material), and there is an interestingly imagined final conversation – however the emotional tribute that Hamed is reportedly given to his mentor after his death is merely referenced in the closing credits, and not dramatised on screen. Some interesting material in this film, but the punches fail to connect.

Giant was shown at the London film festival and is in UK and Irish theaters from January 9.