Big George Foreman

The Plot: California, the 1960s. Coming from a dirt-poor Texan background, George Foreman (Khris Davis) has found purpose and direction in his life. A big guy who likes to fight, he’s channelled that energy into the boxing ring where he packs a punch. With the help of trainer Doc Broadus (Forest Whitaker), he’s punching his way up the heavyweight ranks to become more than just a somebody. He wants to be the world champion, standing up against the likes of Muhammad Ali (Sullivan Jones) in the fight of his life…

The Verdict: George Foreman is more than just the big guy who faced off against Muhammad Ali in the 1974 Rumble In The Jungle or the guy who put his name and image to a line of best-selling grilling products. That’s just a surface sweep of the boxing champ, who now gets his own film which comes with the marquee-busting title of Big George Foreman: The Miraculous Story of The Once And Future Heavyweight Champion Of The World. That’s the title on the print and advertising campaign for this biopic – uncharacteristic of the relatively humble big man himself. Since we’re into the whole brevity thing, let’s stick with the onscreen title of Big George Foreman. It’s a better fit for what unfolds as the film charts three decades in the life of Foreman as he wins, loses, finds God and realises that boxing, not fighting, is in his blood no matter what age does to his body.

Director and co-writer George Tillman Jr. has crafted a straightforward and conventional biopic, which packs a lot of history – and punches – into just over two hours. Frankly, there’s enough in Foreman’s rich and vibrant life story to fill a limited TV series, possibly for a streaming platform. A film can only fit so much into its limited timeframe. Tillman and his co-writers Frank Baldwin and Dan Gordon have found a way to flit through these three formative decades in Foreman’s professional and personal life without it seeming like an archival picture book with predictable life lessons scribbled into a corner. Amidst the battles in the ring with a slew of talented and eventually younger boxers as Foreman advances in his years, there’s also a faith-based element in which Foreman becomes a born-again Christian. His faith in himself and God becomes a defining characteristic of his life. The way that Tillman approaches this is rather subtle. It just becomes a fact, another aspect to the man himself as he grows and develops over time.

As is often the case with biopics made when the subject/living legend is still walking amongst us, it does lean a bit on the reverential side. There are references to his anger-management issues early on, as he busts through doors and needs to learn some diplomacy. There are also his various infidelities. Tillman doesn’t skip over this fact which at least is admirable but he doesn’t dwell on it either. It’s understandable that Tillman isn’t looking to rock the boat – just send some ripples that way instead. The conviction factor is immediately increased by the presence of relative newcomer Khris Davis, who portrays Foreman with real guts, determination and a welcome lightness of touch. It’s a powerhouse physical performance that gets into the skin of Foreman, even when the man himself is getting his own grilling from reporters and taunts from enemy-turned-friend Muhammad Ali. Forest Whitaker is also a solid presence throughout as Foreman’s trainer, moral compass and sounding board. While it doesn’t exactly scream ‘must-see-movie’, Big George Foreman fights its corner throughout and does so with heart, passion, humility and faith. That at least counts for something both inside and outside the ring.

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Review by Gareth O’Connor