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The movie features a impressive ensemble, depicting the true tale of Irish boxing trainer Brendan Ingle, who guided a cheeky Sheffield teenager from Middle Eastern immigrant family. Dubbed Naseem Hamed, the youngster was taught to confront prejudice and transformed into a celebrity titleholder in the late 90s. Ingle cultivated his showboating confidence and powerful punches, but after achieving wealth, the boxer betrayed his mentor, cutting him out and turning him into a blend of Falstaff and Danny Rose.

Cast and Characters

Brosnan plays Ingle; El-Masry takes on the role of Hamed, and Stephens is the assertive promoter Warren, who saw the potential that the coach had uncovered.

Film’s Shortcomings

Yet, the film honestly misses the Prince’s fancy footwork: the fight scenes flow well, but the all-important story in between is consistently flat and one-note. There is no nuance or contrast in the depiction of the protagonist himself, and the actor, an otherwise excellent talent, doesn’t get the chance to show any depth or much of what might make his character truly engaging – although he’s clearly been working out and appears convincing in the boxing arena.

Problems with Script and Sound

The story is repeatedly burdened by utilitarian, explanatory dialogue that inform you precisely what is happening and what we are supposed to be thinking (“You started your career at age seven …”). It is the sort of dialogue that digital executives call “double-screen”, ensuring you know what’s unfolding while you’re viewing the movie but also checking your device. And, the background music is overbearing, sometimes almost overwhelming, especially in the moment where the boxer gets overexcited calling on the promoter in his palatial residence.

Acting and Pivotal Scenes

While the leads do their very utmost, their dynamic doesn’t quite comes to life, and the major boxing moments are frequently anticlimactically cut short. A key moment is surely when, provoked beyond endurance in the training facility one day by Hamed as a delusional “elder”, the trainer actually offers to get in the ring and fight him. All present in the room is shocked and uncomfortable. In what way is this insanely risky confrontation going to play out? What will be the outcome? Certainly the champion is going to defeat him? Or will he sentimentally hold back? It’s not clear.

Bright Spots and Comedy

This isn’t to imply that there are no some nice jabs. Brosnan elicits humor when his character informs a reporter what he’s teaching the youths from his neighborhood: to reject bias and when you meet a offender, “Punch him in the bollocks”. It’s funny too when Hamed squirms at the ridiculous stunts Ingle makes him do in the beginning: acting like the “beast from the East”.

Plot and Conclusion

Regarding the falling out, the movie shows this as being worsened by a tell-all publication that the trainer is allegedly written (a plot point clearly modified from another source), and there is an intriguingly conceived final conversation – although the emotional tribute that the boxer is supposed to have paid to Ingle after his death is only mentioned in the closing credits, and not dramatised on screen. Some engaging content here, but the blows don’t land.

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