Big George Foreman: how a fallen heavyweight champion found redemption

George Foreman rose from obscurity to win Olympic gold and eventually to deck the seemingly inconquerable Joe Frazier and be crowned world heavyweight boxing champion in 1973. His sojourn at the top would not last long, however, as Muhammad Ali would wrest the title from the previously undefeated Foreman the next year. 

Foreman soon would have a religious epiphany, retire, and become a preacher. After nine years, however, he returned to boxing, recapturing a heavyweight title at the age of 45.

That’s the true story behind Big George Foreman, which had a decent theatrical run and is now available on streaming services. It’s a real-life Rocky tale of rise and fall and redemption, told within the usual confines of cinematic efficiency. 

Critics who say the film lacks depth aren’t wrong: this is a bullet-point account of Foreman’s life that hits highlights and lowlights without dwelling much on character study. His Christian faith that emerges from his near-death experience also goes virtually unexplored, although it bears fruit in his commitment to serve underprivileged youths. George Foreman preaches, but Big George Foreman doesn’t get preachy.

Acting is good throughout, but particularly enjoyable are supporting performances by Sullivan Jones as the taunting and pompous Muhammad Ali and Matthew Glave as the nasally sports commentator Howard Cosell. Neither is a spot-on impersonation, but each is close enough to be entertaining.

In case anyone is wondering, there are no real entrepreneurial insights to be gleaned from the wild success of his “George Foreman Lean Mean Grilling Machine” – which, although convenient, is little more than an electric panini maker with a slanted grill surface that drains grease. But it wound up making him millions.

Big George Foreman is, however, a very enjoyable film and generally a family-friendly one at that, with only a few mild instances of language and boxing action that is fierce but not gratuitous. For not-too-demanding viewers, it packs a punch.