ABC Film Challenge – Comedy – A – A Hologram for the King – Movie Review

Director: Tom Tykwer (Cloud Atlas)

Writer: Tom Tykwer (Screenplay)

Writer: Dave Eggers (Novel)

Cast

• Tom Hanks (Elvis)
• Omar Elba (Berlin, I Love You)
• Sarita Choudhury (The Green Knight)
• Ben Whishaw (No Time To Die)
• Sidse Babett Knudsen (Inferno)

Plot: A failed American sales rep looks to recoup his losses by travelling to Saudi Arabia and selling his company’s product to a wealthy monarch.

Runtime: 1 Hour 38 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: A Hologram for the King starts as failed American sales rep Alan (Hanks) looks to redeem his career. He heads to Saudi Arabia in an attempt to sell a product to a wealthy monarch. As he arrives, he learns the king hasn’t been to the location for years.

Alan starts to wonder what the point of his visit is and misses his family back home. The only friend he makes is driver Yousef (Elba) that offers to show him around the town. Alan soon starts to learn more about the country and culture to understand what he is doing there.

Verdict on A Hologram for the King

A Hologram for the King is a romantic comedy following a middle-aged man who has lost direction in his life. He takes a job in Saudi Arabia where he starts to learn about a new culture and learns to start living again.

This is a story about finding yourself against all the odds. Following on from many stories that tell people to explore a new world, one away from their own. It is interesting seeing how Alan is adapting to the new country, and new cultures and trying to make his job work. The bigger problem comes from not really seeing enough of the reason why he is in the country.

Tom Hanks is wonderful in the leading role, but would you expect anything less from him? The supporting performances are strong too, where we meet a host of different characters through the film.

Where to Watch: A Hologram for the King is available to stream on Freevee.

Final Thoughts – A Hologram for the King is an interesting journey through an unknown land.