Review of A Hologram for the King (2016) by Tvjerry — 26 Apr 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'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.