Big George Foreman chronicles the iconic boxer's rise from an impoverished youth in Houston's notorious Fifth Ward to two-time heavyweight champion. He reached the pinnacle of athletic greatness but suffered devastating defeat and humiliation on the world stage. His improbable second act led Foreman to reclaim the title at an astonishing 46 years old. A star-making lead performance from Khris Davis shows how a misunderstood man continually picked himself up from the bottom. Foreman overcame every obstacle with incredible resolve. The film thoughtfully captures his epic journey from anger and hopelessness to spiritual awakening and eventual fulfillment.

Young George (Kei Rawlins) moves with his mother, Nancy (Sonja Sohn), and six siblings to Houston in the late 1950s. They were dirt poor. A sorrowful scene has the entire family splitting a burger for dinner. George grows bitter and resentful from bullying at school. He uses his size advantage to dole out retribution, growing into an angry young man (Davis) and petty criminal.

A brush with the law forces a reckoning with his current path. George joins the Job Corps in California. He desperately yearns for a better life, and the promise of three meals a day is hard to pass up. His tough demeanor and fights with fellow cadets become intolerable. Doc Broadus (Forest Whitaker), a war veteran turned instructor, has a better outlet for George's rage — learn to box instead of street brawling. Doc is amazed by his incredible strength and hitting power. He laughs when George targets the 1968 Summer Olympics as an amateur boxer.

George Foreman's Dominant Victory

Big George Foreman biopic Khris Davis
Sony Pictures

The fighting world takes notice when the relative unknown wins an Olympic gold medal. He waves the American flag after a dominant victory. However, George's moment of glory is tarnished when branded as a sellout back home. His rage boils further as a professional boxer. George's crushing body blows lead to an undefeated record. No one believes he can beat Smokin' Joe Frazier.

George Foreman was continually knocked off every pedestal. He fought like hell for everything he earned, but would always run into an obstacle that derailed his success. He couldn't celebrate any achievement without a bitter aftertaste. Director/co-writer George Tillman Jr. (Men of Honor, Notorious) digs deep into a hurt psyche. Foreman's loss to Muhammad Ali (Sullivan Jones) in the legendary 'Rumble in the Jungle' shattered him like broken glass. It would take a near-death experience for Foreman to find his purpose.

Related: Exclusive: Forest Whitaker and Director George Tillman Jr. on the Challenges of Big George Foreman

The film takes a religious turn in the second act. Foreman embraces Christianity in his darkest hour. His faith finally gives him peace after a lifetime of turmoil. This was a seismic personal shift. He'd mocked his mother's devout beliefs as foolish, after all. Fists pounded his way to success. Foreman retires from boxing but is forced to return for financial circumstances. His second foray in the ring is not born from a negative place. It results in new wealth and global acclaim he was previously never afforded.

Khris Davis Shines

Big George Foreman with Khris Davis
Sony Pictures

Davis shines on every front. He goes from a chiseled juggernaut to balding and overweight without prosthetics. His physical change throughout is extraordinary. But it isn't the muscles that define his take on Foreman. The anger he initially emotes shields low-self esteem and self-loathing. Those feelings dissipate as a God-fearing man with a new outlook. Davis brings out Foreman's gentle nature with strategic nuance.

The boxing scenes accurately mimic the original fights. There's a bit of proselytizing, but that's not unexpected. Foreman credits his new success to religious beliefs. You might not agree with that philosophy but can surely respect the positive impact on his life. Something to contemplate while firing up the George Foreman Grill.

Big George Foreman is a production of Affirm Films, Mandalay Pictures, and State Street Pictures. It will be released theatrically on April 28th from Sony Pictures.