Giant Review: Naseem Hamed Biopic Featuring Brosnan Misses the Punch

The movie features a talented ensemble, telling the true tale of Irish boxing trainer Ingle, who guided a cheeky Sheffield youth from Middle Eastern immigrant family. Dubbed “Prince” Naseem Hamed, the youngster was taught to stand up to racist bullies and molded into a celebrity world champion in the late 90s. Ingle nurtured his flamboyant confidence and lethal fists, but after becoming rich, the boxer turned against his coach, cutting him out and turning him into a blend of John Falstaff and Broadway Danny Rose.

Cast and Characters

Pierce Brosnan portrays Ingle; Amir El-Masry takes on the role of the prince, and Toby Stephens is the assertive London promoter Warren, who saw the goldmine that the coach had discovered.

Film’s Shortcomings

However, the film honestly lacks the Prince’s fancy footwork: the boxing sequences run smoothly, but the crucial story in between is repeatedly dull and one-note. There is no subtlety or contrast in the portrayal of the protagonist himself, and the actor, an otherwise excellent talent, doesn’t get the opportunity to display any depth or much of what might make his character really interesting – even though he’s clearly been working out and appears convincing in the boxing arena.

Dialogue and Music Issues

The drama is repeatedly burdened by utilitarian, explanatory dialogue that inform you exactly what is happening and what we are supposed to be thinking (“You started your career at seven years old …”). This is the kind of script that digital executives call “second-screen”, ensuring you know what’s going on while you’re watching the movie but also glancing at your phone. Additionally, the score is overpowering, sometimes nearly deafening, especially in the moment where the boxer gets too excited visiting the promoter in his luxurious home.

Acting and Pivotal Scenes

Although El-Masry and Brosnan do their very utmost, their dynamic never really ignites, and the big set-piece boxing moments are frequently disappointingly cut short. A key scene is certainly when, provoked beyond endurance in the gym one day by Hamed as a delusional “elder”, Ingle in fact proposes to step into the ring and box him. All present in the gym is shocked and uncomfortable. In what way is this extremely unwise standoff going to play out? What will be the outcome? Certainly the champion is going to kill him? Alternatively will he sentimentally pull his punches? It’s not clear.

Bright Spots and Comedy

This isn’t to imply that there aren’t some good moments. The actor gets laughs when Ingle informs a reporter what he’s teaching the youths from his local community: to oppose prejudice and when you meet a paedophile, “Punch him in the groin”. It’s funny too when the boxer fidgets at the ridiculous antics Ingle makes him do in the beginning: posing as the “beast from the Middle East”.

Storyline and Final Thoughts

As for the falling out, the film shows this as being worsened by a tell-all publication that the trainer is allegedly written (a story element evidently adapted from another source), and there is an intriguingly conceived last discussion – although the emotional tribute that the boxer is supposed to have given to Ingle after his death is only referenced in the end titles, and not dramatised on screen. Some engaging content in this film, but the blows don’t land.

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