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This film features a talented ensemble, depicting the real-life story of Irish boxing trainer Ingle, who guided a cheeky Yorkshire teenager from Middle Eastern immigrant parents. Dubbed “Prince” Naseem Hamed, the youngster was coached to confront racist bullies and molded into a media-friendly world champion in the late 90s. Ingle nurtured his flamboyant confidence and lethal fists, but after becoming rich, the boxer turned against his mentor, cutting him out and turning him into a blend of John Falstaff and Broadway Danny Rose.

Performers and Roles

Pierce Brosnan portrays Ingle; Amir El-Masry takes on the part of Hamed, and Toby Stephens appears as the assertive London promoter Warren, who recognized the goldmine that the coach had uncovered.

Film’s Shortcomings

However, the movie frankly lacks the Prince’s agility: the boxing sequences flow well, but the crucial story in between is repeatedly dull and one-note. There is no subtlety or contrast in the depiction of Hamed 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 really interesting – even though he’s clearly been working out and appears convincing in the ring.

Problems with Script and Sound

The story is repeatedly lumbered with functional, expositional dialogue that tell you exactly what is going on and what we are meant to feel (“Your journey began your career at age seven …”). It is the kind of script that digital executives call “second-screen”, making sure you understand what’s going on while you’re viewing the movie but also glancing at your phone. Additionally, the score is overbearing, at times nearly overwhelming, particularly in the scene where Hamed gets overexcited calling on the promoter in his palatial home.

Performances and Key Moments

While El-Masry and Brosnan do their considerable utmost, their relationship never really comes to life, and the major fight scenes are frequently disappointingly cut short. A key scene is surely when, goaded past his limit in the training facility one day by the boxer as a delusional “elder”, the trainer actually offers to step into the ring and box him. Everyone in the room is shocked and uncomfortable. In what way is this extremely risky confrontation going to unfold? 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

That’s not to say that there aren’t some nice jabs. Brosnan elicits humor when Ingle tells a reporter what he’s instructing the kids from his local community: to reject prejudice and when you encounter a paedophile, “Hit them in the bollocks”. Amusing too when Hamed fidgets at the silly stunts the coach makes him do in the early days: posing as the “beast from the East”.

Plot and Conclusion

As for the rift, the film shows this as being worsened by a revealing publication that the trainer is allegedly authored (a plot point clearly modified from another source), and there is an interestingly conceived last discussion – although the heartfelt homage that the boxer is supposed to have paid to Ingle after his passing is only referenced in the end titles, and not shown on screen. There is engaging content here, but the blows fail to connect.

Giant screened at the London film festival and is in British and Irish theaters from 9 January.