November 5, 2024 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

“A Hologram for the King” Review

“A Hologram for the King,” based on the Dave Eggers novel and taking place in 2010, stars Tom Hanks as a divorced IT salesman named Alan Clay who travels to Saudi Arabia in hopes of selling the king of Saudi Arabia a three-dimensional holographic teleconference system.

WST-TOMHANKS52716Clay has trouble adjusting to his new surroundings. One of the ways this comes across is he keeps oversleeping every day. This causes him to have to call the same taxi driver every day to take him to his destination. The taxi driver, whose name is Yousef, is played by Alexander Black and does an effective job in a comedic role. Right when Clay gets in his vehicle, Yousef is very talkative and tries to bond with Clay, who at first does not seem receptive to this.

Complications and heartache ensue along the way with Clay experiencing emotional and physical crises of sorts. He is still trying to get over his divorce and his concerns about his daughter going off to college. Things do not get any better when he discovers a cyst on his back that may be cancerous. Also, his scheduled appointments with the king keep getting put off because the king routinely fails to show up. And then his colleagues are stuck in a tent trying to set up for their presentation with no internet connection, no air-conditioning, and a lack of food.

Clay’s visit with a doctor regarding the cyst on his back is a nice subplot in the movie. The doctor is played by Sarita Choudhury in a performance of subtlety and warmth. A romance of sorts develops between Clay and the doctor and the last 10-15 minutes of the movie in which the two of them go off together are the best part of the film.

The movie has an assortment of flaws. A road trip in which Hanks’ character takes with his driver to see Yousef’s family seems contrived and hard to buy since he did not know the guy all that well and was there on business. Hanks twice consumes way too much alcohol – the second time he feels like he might be having a stroke. One would think that he would have learned from the first time. Hanks saying he does part-time freelance work for the CIA to an Arab guy, even though it was a joke, was not smart on his part. When Hanks uses a knife to cut a cyst on his back – he should have known better. There is a repetitive feel to the narrative. The physical slapstick the film was going for when Hanks would fall down when he would try to sit on a chair or bench was strained. I found the Danish consultant coming on to him sexually in a party scene was overdone. The party scene, which takes place in a nightclub, seemed out of place in a movie aimed at a more mature audience.

The look of the movie, Hanks’ reliably good performance, and his interactions with the driver and doctor, though, are able to make the picture on balance worth seeing – although, it probably would not be worth paying full price.

Related Posts

5 Strategies for Entrepreneurs to Succeed in the Gaming Industry

October 15, 2024

October 15, 2024

Gaming is one of the most competitive industries in the world. For entrepreneurs, this industry offers many opportunities but also...

8 Places to Spend Crypto in LA

September 2, 2024

September 2, 2024

Los Angeles is a vibrant city known for its innovative spirit, and as cryptocurrencies gain traction, many local businesses are...

The Best Sites Where You Can Buy TikTok Followers

September 2, 2024

September 2, 2024

TikTok has been popular as a social media platform with its creativity and popularity. Since it’s the case, many of...

Bitcoin Mining in Los Angeles and Its Economic Impact

August 12, 2024

August 12, 2024

Once a quirky computer pastime for the geek squad, bitcoin mining has become a significant economic force in places like...

How to Stay Safe While Enjoying Digital Entertainment in West LA

August 5, 2024

August 5, 2024

Recent developments have shown that so much of people’s daily lives are centered on the internet. A 2021 survey conducted...

Why Choose Local Florists for Your Flower Delivery?

May 12, 2024

May 12, 2024

Finding local florists has become easier than ever with the advent of digital marketplaces. Opting for Nashville flower delivery near...

8 Essential Things to Do After a Car Accident in Las Vegas

April 16, 2024

April 16, 2024

A car crash can be extremely traumatic for the people involved in it. Even if there is no major injury...

8 Essential Things to Do After a CarAccident in Las Vegas

April 8, 2024

April 8, 2024

A car crash can be extremely traumatic for the people involved in it. Even if there is no major injury...

Foreign Currency in International Business Expansion

January 2, 2024

January 2, 2024

Business has transformed into a whole different dimension. The interconnectedness across countries is increasing the feasibility of business expansions. It...

How to Select Quality Solar Panels and Installation in California

January 2, 2024

January 2, 2024

As solar energy becomes more affordable and popular, many homeowners in California are considering installing solar panels. However, not all...

Celebrating Christmas in Las Vegas: A Winter Wonderland of Fun and Festivity

November 15, 2023

November 15, 2023

As the festive season approaches, Las Vegas transforms into a glittering winter wonderland, offering a unique and magical Christmas experience....

Navigating Oxnard’s Public Transportation System: A Driver’s Guide

November 2, 2023

November 2, 2023

Whether you live in Oxnard or want to visit, it’s useful to know how to get around this coastal city....

15 Tips For Keeping Burglars Out Of Your Business

October 16, 2023

October 16, 2023

In the ever-evolving realm of business security, the persistent threat of burglary perpetually looms overhead like a dark cloud. The...

US Gambling Laws

July 12, 2023

July 12, 2023

Whilst casino gaming is a significant part of the American culture, US gambling laws are ever-changing. Prior to the Unlawful...

Reasonable Renting in The City of Angels

June 2, 2023

June 2, 2023

What would it be like to wake up in a bustling metropolis filled with endless possibilities, set against rows of...