2025 BFI London Film Festival Critique – Giant

      Giant, 2025.

      Written and Directed by Rowan Athale.

      Featuring Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan, Ali Saleh, Ghaith Saleh, Katherine Dow Blyton, Olivia Barrowclough, Elika Ashoori, Austin Haynes, Rocco Haynes, Oliver Joseph Brooke, Arian Nik, Big Jake, Kelvin Ade, and Mehdi Mangoli.

      SYNOPSIS:

      Based on the true story of Prince Naseem “Naz” Hamed, a British-Yemeni boxer, the film chronicles his journey from modest beginnings to world champion status and his training under Brendan Ingle, who played a vital role in his success.

      Rowan Athale’s Giant vividly depicts the life of Sheffield-born world champion boxer Prince Naseem ‘Naz’ Hamed, who was mentored by Irish trainer Brendan Ingle during the 1980s. Naz was a prodigious talent, yet his Yemeni background subjected him to significant abuse in the boxing arena. Brendan motivated Naz to defend himself, subsequently forging the cocky persona that, combined with his natural ability, led to mainstream acclaim and multiple world titles.

      As he matures, Naz fully embraces his boxing identity, transforming into the same arrogant figure outside the ring. With immense wealth and success available to him, he starts to doubt the necessity of Brendan's guidance, leading him to sever ties with his mentor and sour their relationship.

      Although Giant primarily follows the conventional boxing film template, it fundamentally explores the dynamics of a friendship's rise and fall. Amir El-Masry delivers a remarkable performance as Naz, capturing his renowned charisma and charm adeptly, while Pierce Brosnan balances sincerity and depth as Brendan. Their interactions create memorable confrontations, and it’s hard not to empathize with Ingle, who invested years in Naz’s development, seeing little reward for his efforts.

      It should be noted that Naz can be a challenging character to watch for two hours. His brash showmanship is an essential part of his persona, but it quickly becomes tiresome for viewers, as his character may appear somewhat one-dimensional. The film does not seem keen on seriously exploring his perspective. Furthermore, while it hints at Brendan possibly having nurtured this arrogance by encouraging him as a child, it fails to truly engage with that idea. It presents a straightforward hero-versus-villain narrative, which could have benefited from greater nuance.

      The film also experiences a slight stumble in its third act, reaching several predictable conclusions and ultimately taking too long to deliver its message. The climactic final exchange is impressive, possibly the film's strongest moment, concluding with a narrative shock that is skillfully executed; however, it risks losing the audience's interest along the way.

      There is much to appreciate about Giant. While it certainly has its flaws, such stories resonate with audiences for a reason. Who doesn’t enjoy a rags-to-riches narrative of an underdog triumphing with the support of friends, family, and sheer perseverance? It should appeal to viewers, featuring engaging lead performances and genuinely memorable boxing sequences, likely to attract audiences when it becomes available for streaming next year. However, it lacks the depth to rise above the typical genre fare and become a true British classic, leaving a sense of lost potential for something more exceptional.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Dan Barnes