SHADOWS ON THE WALL | REVIEWS | NEWS | FESTIVAL | AWARDS | Q&A | ABOUT | TALKBACK
A Hologram for the King
3.5/5
dir-scr Tom Tykwer
prd Stefan Arndt, Gary Goetzman, Arcadiy Golubovich, Tim O'Hair, Uwe Schott
with Tom Hanks, Alexander Black, Sarita Choudhury, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Tracey Fairaway, Tom Skerritt, Ben Whishaw, Amira El Sayed, Khalid Laith, David Menkin, Christy Meyer, Megan Maczko
release US 22.Apr.16, Ger 28.Apr.16, UK 20.May.16
16/Germany Playtone 1h38
A Hologram for the King
A whole new world: Hanks and Black

knudsen skerritt whishaw
R E V I E W    B Y    R I C H    C L I N E
A Hologram for the King Based on Dave Eggers' novel, this offbeat film uses a comical story to explore some very big themes. The tone is so breezy that nothing ever feels like it touches a nerve, which makes the movie appear rather superficial. But there are some dark undercurrents that allow the viewer to find plenty of meaning if they look for it.

A former executive who transferred an iconic American brand to China, Alan (Hanks) feels like his business days are waning when he's assigned to go to Saudi Arabia to sell a 3D holographic conferencing system to the king. But his contact there (Laith) is elusive, his driver (Black) is a wild card, and a night partying with a Danish colleague (Knudsen) leaves him in need of a doctor (Choudhury). He also calls his daughter (Fairaway) and his father (Skerritt), worried about his health and wondering why he can't seem to focus on much of anything.

Tykwer directs the film with a cheeky sense of humour that allows comical touches to emerge in both the characters and situations. But at its core, the film is fairly serious and introspective, as events unfold through Alan's perspective as a jumble of swirling memories, including flashbacks to his childhood and career. In other words, the story plays out as an odyssey of self-discovery, as the unexpected quirks of a culture clash gently prod Alan to think about his life choices.

Hanks is, of course, terrific at this kind of everyman role, playing each scene with impeccable comical timing and an underlying sense of yearning emotion. The details of his life are established without melodrama, including key relationships back home and new ones here in the desert. Black is a hilarious sidekick whose smile is infectious, Choudhury offers some unexpected flirtation, and Knudsen gives the film some earthy energy.

It often feels as if this story is bouncing lightly across the surface. Deeper thoughts are generally avoided, although their presence is felt. And there isn't a single antagonistic character. But the film is cleverly constructed to be elusive and provocative, never telling the audience what to think about the issues while sending us in directions that challenge expectations. It's a pleasure to watch. And there's something about the themes that lingers, encouraging us not to miss out on what's really happening around us.

cert 12 themes, language, drugs, sexuality 3.May.16

R E A D E R   R E V I E W S
send your review to Shadows... A Hologram for the King Still waiting for your comments ... don't be shy.
© 2016 by Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
HOME | REVIEWS | NEWS | FESTIVAL | AWARDS | Q&A | ABOUT | TALKBACK