The Giant Film Analysis: Naseem Hamed Biopic Featuring Pierce Brosnan Lacks the Punch

This film boasts a impressive cast, depicting the true tale of Irish boxing trainer Ingle, who mentored a cheeky Sheffield teenager from Yemeni immigrant parents. Dubbed “Prince” Naseem Hamed, the youngster was taught to confront racist bullies and molded into a media-friendly world champion in the 1990s. The trainer cultivated his showboating arrogance and powerful punches, but after becoming rich, Hamed turned against his mentor, cutting him out and turning him into a mix of John Falstaff and Danny Rose.

Performers and Roles

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

Where the Movie Falls Short

Yet, the film honestly misses the Prince’s agility: the fight scenes flow well, but the all-important drama in between is consistently dull and monotonous. There is no subtlety or light and shade in the depiction of the protagonist himself, and El-Masry, an otherwise outstanding performer, doesn’t get the opportunity to show any subtlety or much of what might make his role truly engaging – even though he’s clearly been training and looks very plausible in the boxing arena.

Dialogue and Music Issues

The drama is repeatedly burdened by functional, expositional lines that tell you exactly what is happening and what we are supposed to be thinking (“Your journey began your boxing journey at seven years old …”). It is the kind of dialogue that digital producers call “double-screen”, making sure you understand what’s going on while you’re watching the film but also glancing at your device. And, the background music is overpowering, at times almost deafening, particularly in the moment where the boxer gets too excited visiting Warren in his luxurious home.

Acting and Pivotal Scenes

Although the leads do their considerable best, their dynamic never really comes to life, and the major fight scenes are often disappointingly truncated. The most important moment is certainly when, goaded past his limit in the training facility one day by Hamed as a delusional “elder”, the trainer in fact offers to get in the ring and fight him. All present in the room is shocked and uncomfortable. In what way is this extremely risky standoff going to unfold? What will be the outcome? Surely the Prince is going to defeat him? Or will he emotionally pull his punches? It’s not clear.

Bright Spots and Comedy

That’s not to say that there aren’t some good moments. Brosnan elicits humor when Ingle informs a journalist what he’s teaching the kids from his local community: to oppose prejudice and when you meet a paedophile, “Hit them in the bollocks”. Amusing too when Hamed squirms at the silly antics the coach makes him do in the beginning: posing as the “beast from the East”.

Plot and Conclusion

Regarding the falling out, the film shows this as being exacerbated by a revealing book that Ingle is supposed to have authored (a story element evidently modified from prior material), and there is an intriguingly imagined last discussion – however the heartfelt homage that Hamed is supposed to have paid to Ingle after his death is merely mentioned in the closing credits, and not shown on film. Some interesting material here, but the blows don’t land.

Giant screened at the festival and is in UK and Irish cinemas from 9 January.