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This film boasts a impressive cast, telling the real-life story of coach Brendan Ingle, who guided a cheeky Yorkshire youth from Yemeni migrant parents. Known as “Prince” Naseem Hamed, the youngster was taught to confront prejudice and molded into a media-friendly world champion in the late 90s. The trainer cultivated his showboating confidence and powerful punches, but after becoming rich, the boxer betrayed his coach, cutting him out and turning him into a mix of John Falstaff and Danny Rose.

Performers and Roles

Brosnan portrays Ingle; El-Masry takes on the part of the prince, and Stephens appears as the assertive London promoter Warren, who saw the potential that the coach had discovered.

Film’s Shortcomings

Yet, the movie frankly misses the Prince’s fancy footwork: the fight scenes flow well, but the crucial story between them is consistently dull and monotonous. There is no subtlety or light and shade in the portrayal of Hamed himself, and the actor, an otherwise outstanding performer, doesn’t get the chance to show any depth or much of what might make his role truly engaging – even though he’s clearly been working out and appears convincing in the ring.

Dialogue and Music Issues

The story is often burdened by utilitarian, expositional dialogue that inform you precisely what is going on and what we are meant to feel (“Your journey began your career at seven years old …”). It is the sort of dialogue that digital producers call “second-screen”, making sure you understand what’s unfolding while you’re watching the movie but also checking your phone. Additionally, the background music is overpowering, sometimes nearly overwhelming, particularly in the moment where Hamed gets overexcited visiting the promoter in his luxurious residence.

Acting and Pivotal Scenes

While El-Masry and Brosnan do their very best, their dynamic doesn’t quite ignites, and the major fight scenes are often disappointingly truncated. A key scene is certainly when, provoked past his limit in the gym one day by Hamed as a misguided “old man”, Ingle actually proposes to step into the ring and fight him. All present in the room is stunned and uncomfortable. How exactly is this insanely unwise confrontation going to unfold? What will be the outcome? Certainly the Prince is going to kill him? Or will he sentimentally hold back? The resolution remains ambiguous.

Bright Spots and Comedy

That’s not to say that there aren’t some nice jabs. The actor gets laughs when Ingle informs a reporter what he’s instructing 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 stunts Ingle makes him do in the beginning: acting like the “monster from the East”.

Storyline and Final Thoughts

As for the falling out, the movie depicts this as being worsened by a revealing book that Ingle is allegedly authored (a plot point clearly modified from prior material), and there is an intriguingly conceived last discussion – although the heartfelt homage that the boxer is supposed to have paid to Ingle after his death is merely referenced in the closing credits, and not shown on film. There is engaging content in this film, but the blows fail to connect.

The film screened at the London film festival and is available in British and Irish theaters from 9 January.