With the tagline “The UK’s Answer to Rocky”, Giant enters the cinematic fray with lofty expectations. A biopic based on the relationship between boxer ‘Prince’ Naseem Hamed and his trainer and mentor Brendan Ingle, the legendary reputation of Prince Naseem is already a massive confidence boost for this film.
The film follows Naseem and Ingle’s relationship from the beginning, when Ingle sees untapped potential in a seven-year-old Hamed, and trains him from a cocky prodigy out of Sheffield all the way to the World title. Along the way, clashes over their relationship strain the connection between the two, ultimately leaving them at odds with each other. Giant, despite being marketed as the story of the Prince, is a film about Pierce Brosnan’s Brendan Ingle dealing with the consequences of fueling the ego of a child destined for greatness. He battles with his own beliefs that boxing can be the making of a good man, while melting away in his hypocrisy by complaining that Hamed’s arrogance will be the end of his career. It is a compelling story to explore, but feels like a distraction from what will have many people watching this film.
If you feel upset by the seeming lack of focus on Prince Naseem, fret not, as the greatest elements of his boxing legacy are presented fantastically. From Amir El-Masry’s brilliant performance as a prime Hamed to the child actors presenting his younger days, his charm and showmanship shine through despite some plain line-readings, displaying his timeless appeal brilliantly.
This carries through into each bout shown on the big screen. Each fight is unique, shot fantastically, and reveals the cracks in the pair’s relationship without taking away from the drama and spectacle of the fights. That being said, there will be a real lack of tension for anyone who is familiar with Naseem’s 36-1 professional record.
The film looks like a love letter to Sheffield (despite being primarily filmed in Leeds and Bradford) with wide shots of a 1980s Sheffield and the roaming hills that circle the valley. Character’s fit with regional accents and steel worker fathers root this film in its setting, emphasising Naseem’s background as well as providing hints of familiarity for anyone who calls the city home (clearly I do not watch enough films set in Sheffield).
Complete with a good supporting cast, the highlights of which being a scene-stealing turn from Toby Stephens as promoter Frank Warren and Katherine Dow Blyton offering a subtle and compelling performance as Ingle’s wife Alma. The film handles the twenty years that it covers well, without a continuity problem between ageing characters and evolving aesthetics.
Director Rowan Athale puts together a charming, albeit underwhelming movie that does not always deliver on its promises. Despite trials in his personal life, Naseem remains one of the most iconic British Asian athletes of all time, and yet this character study is told through the eyes of a man who spent the end of his life as a disappointed father figure to Naseem. There are many interesting concepts, from the anti-asian sentiment Hamed suffered as a child to his firm belief that Allah bestowed his boxing gifts unto him. However, these are not presented especially compellingly, and by the end of the film feel flat and misused.
That being said, this flick is a fun time with a number of enjoyable performances and enough tension and fighting outside of the ring. While it is not the perfect biopic, good performances and pacing makes it an easily digestible watch.
Image credits – The Movie DB
