GIANT

(director/writer: Rowan Athale; cinematographer: Larry Smith; editor: Laurence Johnson; music: Neil Athale; cast: Pierce Brosnan (Brendan Ingie), Amir El-Masry (Naseem Hamed), Katherine Dow Blyton (Alma Ingie, Brendan’s wife), Ali Saleh (Naz age 12), Ghaith Saleh (Naz age 7), Ariann Nik (Riath Hamet), Toby Stephen (Frank Warren); Runtime: 110; MPAA Rating: NR; producers: Stuard Ford, Mark Lane, Kevin Sampson, Ross Williams; AGC Studios; 2025-UK/USA)

“Punch-less but earnest Brit boxing biopic.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
 
Rowan Athale (“Wasteland”/”Strange But True”) directs and writes this punch-less but earnest Brit boxing biopic on Prince Naseem Hamed (Amir El-Masry). It tells of his early impoverished life and rise to become in 1992 the world boxing champion from Britain under the tutelage of his dedicated trainer Brendan Ingie (Pierce Brosnan). He’s a former boxer who in 1981 owns a local boxing club that trains the talented and confidant young aspiring boxer. The boxer’s parents are migrants from Yemeni.

The Sheffield boxer received racist Islamic taunts in his community and with the support from Brian was able to deal with them. When the boxer becomes rich and famous his relationship sours with his loyal manager, as he favors his promoter (Toby Stephen) and becomes close to his brother Riath (Ariann Nik).

The story’s trite, the dialogue’s awkward and the melodrama never moved me despite a moving performance by Brosnan.

Sylvester Stallone executive produced it.

It played at the Red Sea Film Festival.

REVIEWED ON 5/30/2026  GRADE: C+
dennisschwartzreviews.com