🔗 Share this article

This film features a talented ensemble, depicting the true story of coach Ingle, who mentored a brash Yorkshire teenager from Yemeni immigrant family. Known as “Prince” Naseem Hamed, the fighter was taught to confront racist bullies and molded into a media-friendly world champion in the 1990s. Ingle nurtured his showboating arrogance and powerful punches, but after becoming rich, Hamed betrayed his mentor, cutting him out and making him a blend of Falstaff and Broadway Danny Rose.

Performers and Roles

Pierce Brosnan portrays Ingle; El-Masry takes on the role of Hamed, and Stephens appears as the assertive promoter Warren, who recognized the goldmine that Ingle had discovered.

Film’s Shortcomings

Yet, the film frankly misses the Prince’s fancy footwork: the fight scenes run smoothly, but the crucial drama between them is consistently flat and one-note. It lacks subtlety or contrast in the portrayal 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 role truly engaging – even though he’s clearly been training and looks very plausible in the boxing arena.

Problems with Script and Sound

The drama is often burdened by functional, expositional dialogue that inform you precisely what is going on and what we are supposed to be thinking (“Your journey began your boxing journey at age seven …”). This is the sort of script that digital executives call “double-screen”, making sure you understand what’s going on while you’re viewing the film but also checking your device. Additionally, the score is overpowering, at times nearly overwhelming, especially in the moment where the boxer gets too excited visiting Warren in his luxurious residence.

Acting and Pivotal Scenes

While the leads do their very best, their dynamic doesn’t quite comes to life, and the major boxing moments are frequently disappointingly cut short. A key moment is surely when, goaded beyond endurance in the gym one day by the boxer as a misguided “elder”, the trainer actually offers to step into the ring and fight him. Everyone in the room is shocked and uncomfortable. In what way is this extremely unwise standoff going to play out? What will be the ending? Certainly the champion is going to kill him? Alternatively will he sentimentally hold back? The resolution remains ambiguous.

Highlights and Humor

That’s not to say that there are no some good moments. The actor elicits humor when Ingle tells a reporter what he’s instructing the youths from his local community: to reject prejudice and when you meet a paedophile, “Punch him in the groin”. Amusing too when Hamed squirms at the silly stunts the coach makes him do in the beginning: posing as the “beast from the East”.

Storyline and Final Thoughts

As for the falling out, the movie shows this as being worsened by a tell-all publication that Ingle is supposed to have written (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 his mentor after his death is only referenced in the closing credits, and not shown on screen. Some engaging content in this film, but the blows fail to connect.

The film was shown at the London film festival and is available in British and Irish cinemas from January 9.