'Heartfelt' James Bond reunion is leaving fans with 'tears in their eyes'
A new film featuring James Bond's Pierce Brosnan and inspired by the uplifting tale of a British sporting legend is set to grace cinema screens this week.
Executive produced by Rocky star Sylvester Stallone, Giant features The Crown's Amir El-Masry as Sheffield-born boxer Naseem Hamed, a multiple world championship victor from 1995-2000.
Exploring his challenging upbringing amidst racism and Islamophobia during the 1970s and 80s, the film charts 'Prince' Naseem's ascent to stardom as well as his thorny relationship with his mentor, Irish boxing coach Brendan Ingle (portrayed by Brosnan).
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Penned and directed by Rowan Athale, Giant is a must-see for both sports aficionados and Bond fans as it showcases Brosnan in peak form in a role that's a far cry from the sophisticated secret agent.
Interestingly, the film also stars Toby Stephens, who played the antagonist Gustav Graves opposite Brosnan in the 2002 Bond film Die Another Day, reports the Express.
The Daily Telegraph lavished praise on his performance as Naseem's promoter Frank Warren in their four-star review, writing: "Toby Stephens all but steals the show as Warren.
"He gets a set-piece monologue about the changing culture of the 1990s - all lads' mags, earrings and fast cars - which he tucks into like prime rib."
Giant has garnered acclaim from several publications so far, with Dexerto describing it as "gripping from beginning to end".
City AM labelled it as "heartfelt" and Film Stories dubbed it "thumping big screen cinema".
RadioTimes also awarded the film four stars, noting that "Amir El-Masry perfectly replicates the boxer's fighting style" and describing Brosnan as "excellent".
"Despite being executive-produced by Sylvester Stallone, this is more melancholy than Rocky-like, and all the better for it," they concluded.
Cinema-goers who've attended advance screenings have been equally enthusiastic, with one film lover awarding it five stars on Letterboxd: "Unbelievable storytelling structure. Funny as hell, authentic and moving. Almost cried at the end too. Pierce Brosnan phenomenal as always."
Another viewer raved: "I loved this from start to finish. Once again, not a film I'd normally watch (sport and biopic) but from seeing the trailer I knew I had to watch. The story was so good and it did have me tearing up. I love Pierce Brosnan and everything he touches, so I knew I'd enjoy."
A third reviewer branded it "the ultimate crowd pleaser. It was funny, dramatic, action packed and had some incredible performances, mainly by Pierce Brosnan and Amir El-Masry."
Whilst a final audience member declared: "OHMYGODD. Now this was a movie that genuinely felt so personal that when it was over, tears hit me like a truck over how it ended.
"A movie so phenomenal on so many levels with colour grading that feels like nostalgia for a life that isn't even mine."
Giant is in UK cinemas now.