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The movie boasts a talented ensemble, depicting the true story of Irish boxing trainer Brendan Ingle, who mentored a cheeky Sheffield youth from Yemeni immigrant family. Known as “Prince” Naseem Hamed, the youngster was taught to stand up to racist bullies and transformed into a media-friendly world champion in the 1990s. The trainer cultivated his flamboyant arrogance and lethal fists, but after becoming rich, Hamed betrayed his mentor, cutting him out and turning him into a blend of Falstaff and Danny Rose.

Cast and Characters

Brosnan portrays Ingle; El-Masry embodies the role of Hamed, and Toby Stephens appears as the assertive London promoter Warren, who recognized the goldmine that the coach had discovered.

Where the Movie Falls Short

Yet, the film honestly misses the Prince’s agility: the boxing sequences flow well, but the crucial story between them is consistently dull and monotonous. There is no nuance or light and shade in the depiction of Hamed himself, and the actor, an otherwise excellent talent, doesn’t get the chance to show any depth or much of what might make his character really interesting – even though he’s clearly been working out and appears convincing in the boxing arena.

Problems with Script and Sound

The story is repeatedly lumbered with functional, explanatory lines that tell you exactly what is happening and what we are meant to feel (“You started your boxing journey at age seven …”). This is the kind of script that streaming-TV executives call “double-screen”, ensuring you understand what’s unfolding while you’re watching the film but also checking your device. And, the background music is overbearing, at times nearly deafening, particularly in the scene where the boxer gets too excited visiting the promoter in his luxurious home.

Acting and Pivotal Scenes

Although El-Masry and Brosnan do their considerable best, their dynamic doesn’t quite ignites, and the big set-piece boxing moments are often disappointingly truncated. The most important scene is surely when, goaded beyond endurance in the gym one day by the boxer as a delusional “old man”, the trainer actually proposes to step into the ring and box him. All present in the room is stunned and uncomfortable. In what way is this extremely unwise standoff going to unfold? What will be the outcome? Certainly the Prince is going to defeat him? Or will he sentimentally pull his punches? It’s not clear.

Bright Spots and Comedy

That’s not to say that there aren’t some nice jabs. Brosnan elicits humor when his character informs a journalist what he’s teaching the youths from his local community: to reject bias and when you encounter a paedophile, “Hit them in the bollocks”. It’s funny too when Hamed squirms at the silly antics Ingle makes him do in the beginning: acting like the “beast from the East”.

Storyline and Final Thoughts

Regarding the falling out, the movie depicts this as being worsened by a tell-all publication that Ingle is supposed to have authored (a plot point evidently modified from another source), and there is an interestingly imagined last discussion – however the heartfelt homage that Hamed is supposed to have paid to his mentor after his passing is merely mentioned in the closing credits, and not shown on screen. There is engaging content here, but the punches don’t land.

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