Watch A Hologram for the King

"A Hologram for the King" is a 2016 American comedy-drama film based on the novel by Dave Eggers. It stars Tom Hanks as Alan Clay, a middle-aged struggling businessman who travels to Saudi Arabia to pitch a holographic teleconferencing system to the King. Alan is going through a rough patch in his personal and professional life. He is divorced, has financial troubles, and suffers from a severe cyst on his back. Disappointed with his previous job, he tries to make a comeback by flying to Saudi Arabia, where he hopes to sell a holographic teleconferencing system to a potential client, the King. Arriving in the city of Jeddah, he finds himself in a foreign environment with a culture vastly different from his own.

On arrival in Saudi Arabia, Alan is met with a series of setbacks. The project delays, the hotel he's booked into remains unfinished and he is disappointed that his team of IT experts are not with him to assist with the presentation. To add to his troubles, Alan begins experiencing personal health problems due to the stress and exhaustion. With a failing IT system, Alan is pointed towards a local doctor who performs a minor yet unsettling operation on his back.

As the days pass, Alan soon learns that bureaucracy, cultural divides, and personal challenges stand in the way of the presentation, and slowly begins to unravel. He finds solace in a beautiful doctor named Zahara (played by Sarita Choudhury), who helps him with his medical issues and becomes something of a confidante to him as he navigates the intricate intricacies of business in Saudi Arabia.

Throughout his journey, Alan learns about the ways in which cultural and personal differences can create both challenges and opportunities in business. He discovers a different way of life, immersing himself in the traditions and customs of his hosts, leading to unforeseen friendship and future prospects.

The cinematography of "A Hologram for the King" beautifully captures the desert landscape of Saudi Arabia, while the sharp script and witty humor deliver an engaging story that keeps the audience hooked. Tom Hanks's performance is incredible, drawing the audience into Alan's journey with a mix of humor, vulnerability, and introspection that is both relatable and moving.

Overall, "A Hologram for the King" is an enjoyable, slightly melancholic movie brought to life with strong performances and engaging storytelling. It's a movie that explores cultural differences and personal struggles while reaffirming the importance of human connection in our modern, globalized world.

A Hologram for the King is a 2016 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 58.