A Hologram for the King

Two time Academy Award wining actor Tom Hanks is universally recognized as one of the greatest actors of his generation, having starred in numerous critically acclaimed films for over 40 years. In his latest film, he plays Alan Clay, a washed up, depressed, divorced and currently unsuccessful sales person who desperately needs to close an important deal selling cutting edge teleconferencing technology to a king in Saudi Arabia that would help resolve some serious financial problems in his personal life.

We quickly find out that this will not be an easy task to accomplish. Various obstacles hinder his efforts to set up a meeting to demonstrate his company’s product. Some of these are an inadequate workplace for Alan and his IT team, an uncooperative receptionist, a Saudi king who never shows and Alan’s own lack of motivation. A growth on his back that is increasing in size also contributes to his growing sense of gloom, in that he is convinced it will ultimately kill him.

Due to his daily habit of oversleeping, which causes him to miss the hotel shuttle bus to the workplace, Alan is forced to call for car service. This enables him to meet Yousef, a car driver who has a great understanding of American culture and a greater sense of humor. When Alan injures himself trying to remove the growth on his back, it’s Yousef who brings Alan to the hospital where he meets Dr. Zahra, a Saudi doctor who not only helps Alan with his back growth, but, as the movie progresses, might be the person who helps Alan get out of his funk and regain his sense of purpose. The rest of the movie deals with Alan’s attempt to arrange the meeting with the King and to make sense of his life.

Content Issues

On a positive note there is very little violence, other than a brief scene of guns and of Alan in the operating room, if that counts. Unfortunately, there are several sexual encounters, once at a disco club and two between unmarried couples. There is one very extended scene near the end of the movie of female upper body frontal nudity. A women who is married, but in the process of getting a divorce, engages in a sexual encounter—committing adultery. Alcohol and drug abuse is shown throughout the movie. There is a moderate amount of curse words throughout the entire film. Language includes “for Chr*st’s sakes” (1), “Jesus” (1), “oh g*d” (1), “oh L*rd” (1), “g*d d**m” (2), “d*mn” (1), f-word (4), “s**t” (4), 1 “bu***it” (1), “a*s” (1), “a**h*le” (1), “cr*pped” (1), and “sc**wing” (3).

Positive Lessons

Despite having different backgrounds, Yousef and Alan develop a warm friendship and both try to help the other out of difficult situations. This can be used to discuss the Scripture Philippians 2:4:

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.”

Alan’s problems and despair can be used as a talking point regarding God’s promise in Psalms 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Tom Hanks will not be winning any awards for this role. He seemed to be mailing in his performance, which was disappointing. I found this a very difficult movie to sit through, on many levels. Its language, drug and alcohol use, nudity and improper sexual relations set a very dark tone. The only mention of God is from a Muslin point of view; Jesus and Christianity are totally absent. Everyone is miserable for one reason or another. As a final insult, when the screen went black and the credits started, I was left dumbfounded. My exact words were, “Is that it?” There is absolutely no reason to see this film, and I recommend avoiding it, either in the theater or when it’s released on DVD, as if it was one of the plagues.

Violence: Minor / Profanity: Heavy / Sex/Nudity: Heavy

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.