A Hologram for the King

Name: A Hologram for the King
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: April 22, 2016
Duration: 98 min
Rating: 58
Cast: Alexander Black, Ben Whishaw, Sarita Choudhury, Tom Hanks

2016

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 35 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 75 Ratings

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5.8

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5.8	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 75 Ratings

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A Hologram For The King

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Movie Details & Credits

Lionsgate | Release Date: April 22, 2016 | R

Starring: Alexander Black, Ben Whishaw, Sarita Choudhury, Tom Hanks

Summary: Cultures collide when an American businessman (Tom Hanks) is sent to Saudi Arabia to close what he hopes will be the deal of a lifetime. Baffled by local customs and stymied by an opaque bureaucracy, he eventually finds his footing with the help of a wise-cracking taxi driver (Alexander Black) and a beautiful Saudi doctor (Sarita Choudhury).

Director: Tom Tykwer

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 98 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Mick LaSalle

Apr 21, 2016

A Hologram for the King has great energy, and also a languorous, lived-in quality. Read full review

Bilge Ebiri

Apr 20, 2016

Tykwer sublimates what Eggers made explicit: the joblessness, the debt, the isolation. He knows the power of an image, a gesture, a brief exchange, so he captures those social themes in flashes, which ironically gives them new power. Read full review

Tom Russo

Apr 21, 2016

It’s like an international-relations microcosm imagined by the Coen brothers, down to an occasional sense that the absurdity isn’t taking us anywhere. Read full review

Sheri Linden

Apr 20, 2016

When it isn’t trying too hard to be instructive or jokey, Tykwer’s film fluently conveys the hard truth of diminished relevance, geopolitical as well as personal. Hanks’ portrayal of a man caught between utter defeat and a yearning to begin again is pitch-perfect. Read full review

Tasha Robinson

Apr 26, 2016

The place the story ends doesn't necessarily fit with where it began, which leaves Hologram feeling like a fractured and uncertain oddity. But at least by the end, it's a beautifully melancholy oddity. It's inconsistent in its intentions, but at least some of those intentions are good ones. Read full review

Rex Reed

Apr 21, 2016

Rambling, well-shot but inconsequential curio. Read full review

Kyle Smith

Apr 27, 2016

To describe this as a movie about a mediocre businessman biding his time before an appointment probably makes it sound more exciting than it is. Read full review

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User Reviews

what2c

May 15, 2016

Given all the mixed and negative reviews here, I was surprised at how much I liked "A Hologram for the King." It's funny and serious and wonderfully unpredictable. The scariness of Saudi rule mixed with the absurdity of Saudi life. I was laughing out loud at the absurdity of Hanks'Given all the mixed and negative reviews here, I was surprised at how much I liked "A Hologram for the King." It's funny and serious and wonderfully unpredictable. The scariness of Saudi rule mixed with the absurdity of Saudi life. I was laughing out loud at the absurdity of Hanks' businessman's mission, the scary armed Saudi guard at his sentry station cooling his tootsies in a multi-hued kiddie pool. Hanks' character has to deal with officials who promise to show up but never do, and he triumphs over hostile conditions and also triumphs in love with a very evolved and accomplished woman. A lovely, satisfying movie experience for both me and my husband.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

smiyamot

Aug 10, 2016

Okay, we have your middle aged business man who has hit the wall of obsolescence. He travels to Saudi Arabia to do business so we have your typical American who knows nothing of the customs of the foreign country he is in. We have a typical Hollywood ending where he finds himself and aOkay, we have your middle aged business man who has hit the wall of obsolescence. He travels to Saudi Arabia to do business so we have your typical American who knows nothing of the customs of the foreign country he is in. We have a typical Hollywood ending where he finds himself and a fulfilling personal life. But I gave it one extra point for Tom Hanks; he's just that good.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

CarFan1999

Aug 12, 2016

The best thing about A Hologram For The King is Tom Hanks. He does a wonderful performance as a down- on- his- luck businessman who is trying to get his life in order. If the title seems odd, so is the movie. The backstory of our main character is shown in very quick flashbacks throughoutThe best thing about A Hologram For The King is Tom Hanks. He does a wonderful performance as a down- on- his- luck businessman who is trying to get his life in order. If the title seems odd, so is the movie. The backstory of our main character is shown in very quick flashbacks throughout the run- time and while there is a plot about trying to sell a hologram machine to the Saudi King, it's not the focus. This is more or less a character study about a man who has lost direction in life. He meets many characters throughout who help him find meaning in his life and the film's conclusion is very abrupt. Unlike the recent film Demolition, this one better shows someone going through depression, while doing it in a lighthearted way. Not to mention that this is also quite hilarious. I laughed a lot throughout and the drama here made me care for this man. However, the story lacks focus as there are many subplots that go unfinished. In addition, there are a few dead- areas where the pacing is too slow. Overall, this unique film with a unique title about depression is funny, heartfelt, and has a great performance from Tom Hanks.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

badgerryan19

May 19, 2017

The movie was fine, but Tom as usual is great. The movie is interesting but it never takes The movie had some really entertaining moments with some surprisingly funny moments but they are few far and between. The movie ultimately is fine if not anything watch it for Tom Hanks at least.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JunelKean

Jan 9, 2018

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 isWe 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."… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

eagleeyeviking

May 26, 2017

Tom Hanks is as charismatic as ever; and so is the rest of the supporting cast. Furthermore, the film’s insights into Saudi Arabia is very interesting. However, the editing is choppy and the film is frustratingly full of filler.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Q8MarrongGlace

Jul 30, 2016

A nonsense movie with no purpose but to insult Arab culture , It's
unexpected movie from Tom Hanks , Big fail as always using media to lie
now using movies to deliver a bad lies about Arabs . shame on Hollywood
movies industry

0 of 5 users found this helpful05

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