Giant Review: Naseem Hamed Biopic Featuring Brosnan Misses the Punch

This film features a talented ensemble, telling the true tale of Irish boxing trainer Ingle, who guided a cheeky Yorkshire teenager from Yemeni immigrant parents. Known as “Prince” Naseem Hamed, the youngster was taught to stand up to prejudice and transformed into a media-friendly world champion in the 1990s. The trainer cultivated his flamboyant arrogance and powerful punches, but after achieving wealth, Hamed turned against his coach, cutting him out and turning him into a blend of John Falstaff and Danny Rose.

Performers and Roles

Pierce Brosnan plays the trainer; El-Masry embodies the role of the prince, and Toby Stephens appears as the bullish promoter Frank Warren, who recognized the goldmine that Ingle had uncovered.

Where the Movie Falls Short

Yet, the movie honestly misses the Prince’s agility: the fight scenes flow well, but the all-important story in between is consistently flat and monotonous. It lacks subtlety or contrast in the depiction of the protagonist himself, and El-Masry, an otherwise outstanding performer, doesn’t get the opportunity to display any depth or much of what might make his character truly engaging – even though he’s obviously been working out and looks very plausible in the ring.

Problems with Script and Sound

The story is repeatedly lumbered with functional, expositional dialogue that inform you precisely what is going on and what we are supposed to be thinking (“Your journey began your boxing journey at seven years old …”). This is the kind of script that streaming-TV producers call “second-screen”, making sure you understand what’s unfolding while you’re watching the movie but also glancing at your phone. And, the score is overpowering, sometimes nearly overwhelming, especially in the moment where Hamed gets overexcited calling on the promoter in his luxurious residence.

Acting and Pivotal Scenes

Although the leads do their considerable best, their relationship doesn’t quite ignites, and the major fight scenes are often disappointingly cut short. The most important scene is certainly when, provoked beyond endurance in the gym one day by the boxer as a delusional “elder”, Ingle actually proposes to step into the ring and box him. Everyone in the gym is shocked and uncomfortable. How exactly is this insanely unwise standoff going to play out? What will be the outcome? Certainly the Prince is going to kill him? Alternatively will he sentimentally hold back? It’s not clear.

Highlights and Humor

This isn’t to imply that there are no some good moments. Brosnan elicits humor when Ingle informs a reporter what he’s teaching the kids from his neighborhood: to reject bias and when you meet a offender, “Punch him in the groin”. Amusing too when Hamed fidgets at the ridiculous antics the coach makes him do in the early days: posing as the “beast from the East”.

Storyline and Final Thoughts

Regarding the rift, the film shows this as being worsened by a revealing book that Ingle is allegedly written (a plot point clearly adapted from another source), and there is an intriguingly conceived last discussion – however the emotional tribute that the boxer is reportedly given to his mentor after his passing is merely referenced in the closing credits, and not shown on film. Some engaging content here, but the punches fail to connect.

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