(L to R) Amir El-Masry as Naseem Hamed and Piece Brosnan as Brendan Ingle in ‘Giant.’ Photo: Sam Taylor/Vertical Entertainment.
In theaters on May 22 is ‘Giant’, the based-on-truth boxing biopic about cocky pugilist “Prince” Naseem Hamed, who trained from a young age and became a featherweight world champion –– but at the cost of his friendship with his trainer.
Written and directed by Rowan Athale (‘Outside the Wire’), the movie stars Pierce Brosnan (‘The World is Not Enough’), Amir El-Masry (‘Limbo’), Toby Stephens (‘Die Another Day’), Katherine Dow Blyton (‘Brassed Off’) and Olivia Barrowclough (‘Bridgerton’).
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Initial Thoughts
Amir El-Masry as Naseem Hamed in ‘Giant.’ Photo: Vertical Entertainment.
We’ve had something of a run on boxing biopics of late, between the likes of ‘Christy’ and ‘The Fire Inside’. Add one more to the list via ‘Giant’, which follows the fraught relationship between British fighter “Prince” Naseem Hamed and his trainer, Brendan Ingle.
The biggest question for a movie such as this is can it duck and weave away from the critical punches of typical biopic cliches. For the most part, this sadly cannot.
Script and Direction
Amir El-Masry as Naseem Hamed in ‘Giant.’ Photo: Vertical Entertainment.
Writer/director Rowan Athale follows a very familiar track for the story, which admittedly can be unavoidable in real-life stories such as this (though some, including ‘Rocketman’ find ways to be stylishly different). Just be ready for eye-rolling scenes of people standing out explaining the story more than it really finding a beating heart.
The result is a relatively staid story of a champion-in-training, though it does have the advantage of a compelling chronicle of dysfunction between Hamed and his coach, who trained him from a young before ego got between them as the boxer’s career surged.
Cast and Performances
(L to R) Piece Brosnan as Brendan Ingle and Amir El-Masry as Naseem Hamed in ‘Giant.’ Photo: Vertical Entertainment.
The film might claim to be about Hamed, and we certainly get under his skin to a degree, but the standout here is Brosnan, who breathes real charismatic life into Ingle. A former fighter who never reached the top levels, he’s a warm, unique sort and shown as completely devoted to his fighters –– at least until his best starts to veer away from him.
Final Thoughts
Amir El-Masry as Naseem Hamed in ‘Giant.’ Photo: Vertical Entertainment.
Featherweight was Hamed’s boxing class and sadly the movie about him feels like it fits that description. This was certainly a story worth telling but the finished film never really punches above its weight.
‘Giant’ receives 62 out of 100.
Amir El-Masry as Naseem Hamed in ‘Giant.’ Photo: Vertical Entertainment.
What is the plot of ‘Giant’?
‘Giant’ is inspired by the real-life story of Prince Naseem ‘Naz’ Hamed, a British-Yemeni boxer, and his journey from humble beginnings to becoming a world champion and his training under Brendan Ingle, who played a crucial role in his success.
Who is in the cast of ‘Giant’?
- Amir El-Masry as Naseem Hamed
- Ghaith Saleh as Naseem Hamed (age 7)
- Pierce Brosnan as Brendan Ingle
- Katherine Dow Blyton as Alma Ingle
- Olivia Barrowclough as Vicki Quinn
- Arian Nik as Riath Hamed
‘Giant’ opens in theaters on May 22.
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