A Hologram for the King (2016)

A Hologram for the King (2016)

2016 R 97 Minutes

Comedy | Drama

Alan Clay, a struggling American businessman, travels to Saudi Arabia to sell a new technology to the King, only to be challenged by endless Middle Eastern bureaucracy, a perpetually absent monarch...

Overall Rating

6 / 10
Verdict: Good

User Review

  • We have come to think of Tom Hanks as one of the most talented actors of our generation - being a hijaked captain, American soldier, lawyer during the Cold War or even Andy's favorite toy seem not to be an easy task. But for the movie "A Hologram for the King", we see a business man, who is sent on Saudi Arabia in proposing a way of telecommunication to the king. The question is, will it be worth the watch?

    Strung by two subplots with no significance to the storyline is the major issue in this film. Seems like in majority, the movie wastes its time involving the comedic and romantic subplots which has nothing to do with the title. But because of Hanks' charm and humor, the impact to its audience is elevated. There are also side performances from Sarita Choudhury and Alexander Black to look out for and their characters are at least likeable. It also features the everyday living of middle eastern people, which is a breath of fresh air in movies.

    VERDICT: Although the impact of its actors are present, the title A Hologram for the King seems to be misleading the overview of the film, and therefore should be called "Business man Tom Hanks together with his Comedic and Romantic Metaphors".