A Hologram for the King

Lionsgate | Release Date: April 22, 2016

5.8	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 75 Ratings

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StanleyKubrickAug 19, 2016

Some nice scenes, a good Tom Hanks and an interesting setting don't always make a good movie, if the screenplay is bad. This is one those cases. Worth a look, but don't waste your money on cinema.

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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TVJerryApr 27, 2016

This is not a typical Tom Hanks headliner, but a smaller indie film based on the book by Dave Egger. He plays an American businessman who travels to Saudi Arabia to close a big IT deal. Nothing is simple in this country, where he doesn'tThis is not a typical Tom Hanks headliner, but a smaller indie film based on the book by Dave Egger. He plays an American businessman who travels to Saudi Arabia to close a big IT deal. Nothing is simple in this country, where he doesn't understand the customs and has to cope with the eccentric bureaucracy. He befriends his driver, flirts with a lovely doctor and has other low-key encounters. Meanwhile, his own personal doubts and family issues add more minor layers. While Hanks plays his typical appealing type, the film rambles from event to event without much momentum. The most interesting aspect is the scenery and architecture, as well as insight into the country's traditions. While it has charm and is never dull (not especially amusing either), the somewhat disjointed storyline meanders too much to provide much satisfaction.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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RvwFromUpHereApr 29, 2016

Who: Tom Hanks, Q, and Tom Skerritt as an unnecessary addition to the cast
What: 70 minutes of alright movie, 20 minutes of random topless scuba diving
Where: Tom Hanks' dream vacation When (Can I watch again): When it comes on TV andWho: Tom Hanks, Q, and Tom Skerritt as an unnecessary addition to the cast
What: 70 minutes of alright movie, 20 minutes of random topless scuba diving
Where: Tom Hanks' dream vacation
When (Can I watch again): When it comes on TV and there's NOTHING else to watch
Why: It's difficult to find a truly bad movie with Tom Hanks in it, and you won't find it here… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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HuelBAug 10, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A good film by Tom Hanks with a good story but the ending is very anti climatic and not much of a challenge getting there, from all the difficulties that his crew was facing which all suddenly got solved and the ending with him becoming romantic with the Arabian women all seemed to work out just the way he wanted without a hitch.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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CarFan1999Aug 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 mainThe 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

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what2cMay 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 wasGiven 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

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GreatMartinApr 22, 2016

After seeing “A Hologram for the King” the word that stays in my mind is interesting, not an interesting movie but for some interesting visual scenes.

Going from a man in possibly a middle age crisis to a story about a fish out of water toAfter seeing “A Hologram for the King” the word that stays in my mind is interesting, not an interesting movie but for some interesting visual scenes.

Going from a man in possibly a middle age crisis to a story about a fish out of water to a West meets East tale the movie is all over the place. With Tom Hanks, America’s Everyman, that is if Everyman has a Danish female contractor trying to seduce him and an independent Arabian woman doctor becoming involved with him, the role acquires depth even if the scenes with his daughter (Tracey Fairaway) hold the film back as does the brief flashback scenes with (Tom Skerritt) his father.

The interesting visual scenes go from Alan (Hanks) and the doctor (Sarita Choudhury) in a swimming scene among coral reefs, wide spans of desert, a vision of what parts of that desert may develop by man plus the hologram(s) in the title. Now if only the movie had spent more time about the holograms it would have been interesting in a better way.

There are more scenes such as a high rise beautiful condo growing in a desert land that is being built by exploited foreign workers who offer a brutal way of life. There is also the introduction of Yousef (Alexander Black) who is more or less a cliché as a driver/guide, who is good but really could be eliminated from the picture without a loss except for about 20 minutes making the already short, 98 minutes, movie shorter.

“A Hologram for the King” does nothing for Tom Hanks’ career except solidify his likability while Choudhury is very impressive in her role and both in the underwater scenes are a delight as a couple.

In spite of the interesting visual scenes, and Tom Hanks, there is no way I can recommend this movie.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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rmdsailorJul 1, 2016

Just one incredibly bad movie. Hanks, for years has been one of my favorite actors but good grief he's bad in this movie. Why? I asked my friends, did he ever agree to make such an amateurish, unprofessional flick? It may be the worst movieJust one incredibly bad movie. Hanks, for years has been one of my favorite actors but good grief he's bad in this movie. Why? I asked my friends, did he ever agree to make such an amateurish, unprofessional flick? It may be the worst movie of his long and great career.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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Q8MarrongGlaceJul 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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smiyamotAug 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 typicalOkay, 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

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LeZeeSep 9, 2016

About a salesman who went to sell his product sold himself.

I like this director, one of his film was in my all time favourite list. But I'm not sure what happened to him lately, he's not the same as what he was a decade ago. This is hisAbout a salesman who went to sell his product sold himself.

I like this director, one of his film was in my all time favourite list. But I'm not sure what happened to him lately, he's not the same as what he was a decade ago. This is his worse to far I've seen. He's better than this, but he chose a wrong book. It was based on the book of the same name that tells the story of an American salesman whose last chance to get back on the track goes to saudiarabia to sell his product to the king. But the king's unexpected last minute reschedules avoids his meeting and so it continues like that for some time. In his those spare time, how he explores the desert country and its culture, including an unexpected feeling for a local lady doctor was told.

Seems a fine material for the reading, the cinematically it did not have the same appeal. I haven't read the book, but it is short and lacks in detail it deals. The main character remains a mystery for not properly revealing his history, especially for the no flashback, which would have put him is a good position. That's why it looks just a mid story, that begins in a mid way of someone's life. Though Tom Hanks was good, like usual in another unique role.

The film is about arebia, but it was shot in Morocco and Egypt. There's no big contribution from the supporting characters, except two. Sarita Choudury, especially Alexander Black transformed completely to a real areb and they both put a good show as well. The film was below average. Since it was a Hanks' film I anticipated something strong. It was something, but not the something I was looking for. Watchable film, but skipping it won't make any regret if you're okay with skipping an Hanks film. All the above his fans are very disappointed, so I hope his next film 'The Circle' would make us this one to forget.

4/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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eagleeyevikingMay 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

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badgerryan19May 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 ifThe 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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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RayRAug 19, 2016

I rented it because Hanks can't fail in a film, can he. Yes he can. Even with his presence and charm, this film is one of the worst I've seen in years. I watched it to the end to learn whether it could redeem itself with some sort of punch atI rented it because Hanks can't fail in a film, can he. Yes he can. Even with his presence and charm, this film is one of the worst I've seen in years. I watched it to the end to learn whether it could redeem itself with some sort of punch at the end ... it didn't. I blame this mostly on the script and director and the failed slapstick that made little sense.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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