A Hologram for the King (2016)

A Hologram for the King Poster

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, and a suspicious growth on his back.

Introduction
"A Hologram for the King", a film released in 2016, is a dramatic and comical adjustment of Dave Eggers' book of the exact same name. Tom Tykwer directed the film and Tom Hanks starred as the protagonist, Alan Clay. The film provides a distinct amalgamation of Western and Middle Eastern cultures while penetrating into the styles of modification, survival, and self-discovery.

Plot Overview
The film follows Alan, an unsuccessful American entrepreneur on a mission to reset his monetary profession. Trying to get better from his economic recession, Alan leaves for Saudi Arabia to sell an ingenious holographic telecommunication system to the Saudi government. There, he discovers himself in a complex and unknown culture, facing administration, language barriers, and contrasting customs.

Middle Eastern Journey
As Soon As in Saudi Arabia, Alan encounters numerous obstacles. He finds the new king's desert city is however a mirage in development, the administration is frustrating, and his group is housed in a tent without any food, air-conditioning, or Wi-Fi. However, the story takes a pivotal turn when due to a transportation mishap, Alan misses his shuttle bus and instead drawbacks a flight with a regional motorist named Yousef, who becomes a key character throughout the plot, helping Alan browse the intricacies of Saudi Arabian culture and society.

Characters and Relationships
Alan's developing bond with Yousef, in addition to his budding intimate relationship with his medical professional, Zahra (Sarita Choudhury), forms much of the film's narrative. They offer Alan with convenience and relationship, ultimately functioning as catalysts for his self-discovery and transformation.

Styles and Interpretation
"A Hologram for the King" checks out themes of lost hope, personal redemption, and the human ability to adapt and grow in unknown territories. Alan's journey leads him to discover his purpose, reassess his past, and construct a revamped outlook for the future.

Conclusion
The film gravitates in between drama and funny, truth and surrealism with its main story centered on Alan's life-altering journey. Notably, Alan's realizations and improvements highlight the possibility of individual development and adaptation, even amidst the harshest of situations and alien environments. In spite of some scattered narrative and pacing, Hanks' performance, coupled with the more profound themes explored, make "A Hologram for the King" a considerable cinematic piece of cross-cultural interaction and individual advancement.

Top Cast

  • Tom Hanks (small)
    Tom Hanks
    Alan Clay
  • Sarita Choudhury (small)
    Sarita Choudhury
    Dr. Zahra Hakeem
  • Sidse Babett Knudsen (small)
    Sidse Babett Knudsen
    Hanne
  • Ben Whishaw (small)
    Ben Whishaw
    Dave
  • Tom Skerritt (small)
    Tom Skerritt
    Ron Clay
  • Tracey Fairaway (small)
    Tracey Fairaway
    Kitty Clay
  • David Menkin (small)
    David Menkin
    Brad
  • Omar Elba (small)
    Omar Elba
    Yousef
  • Jane Perry (small)
    Jane Perry
    Ruby Clay
  • Amira El Sayed
    Maha
  • Christy Meyer (small)
    Christy Meyer
    Cayley