By Andrea K. Hammer
Rare films, such as A Hologram for the King, defy easy categorization. Based on the novel by Dave Eggers and written for the screen by Tom Tykwer, the imaginative drama-comedy is a state-of-the-art thrill-terror rollercoaster ride.
Grip-Viewers-by-the-Collar Cinematic Approach
Although the action-misadventure bombard-the-senses-with-different-images opening scene is not clear until a subsequent explanation in the special features, the grip-viewers-by-the-collar cinematic approach is sustained throughout A Hologram for the King.
As we follow recently divorced Alan Clay (Tom Hanks) struggle to find his footing in his personal and professional life, the uber-salesman’s travels overseas are simultaneously startling and enlightening. One of the most masterful scenes shows Tom Hanks gradually and visibly shift from melancholy to upbeat cheerleading mode for his colleagues, who are stuck in a tent trying to prepare for a presentation without food, air conditioning or a good WiFi connection.
Actors Deliver Humorous and Quietly Powerful Performances
During Alan Clay’s series of missteps and misadventures, Tom Hanks captures the challenges of navigating a different culture and customs. His interactions and developing friendship with driver Alexander Black (Omar Elba) are subtly humorous despite some alarming turns.
Alan Clay’s unlikely romance with his emergency physician Zahra (Sarita Choudry) is surprisingly compelling—largely because of the actress’s quiet strength. In addition, she makes a thought-provoking special-features observation about finding freedom within the cultural restrictions of her stereotyped role as a woman.
Visually Stunning Presentation of Holographic Teleconference
After a series of twists and turns, the presentation of the holographic teleconferencing system to the king is breathtaking. With stunning visual impact, the film reveals the ability of this state-of-the-art-technology to place life-like three-dimensional full-body moving images of actual people in a room across the world—and leap light years beyond current practices.
Notable Special Feature: Discussion of Novel Adaptation for Screen
Along with many of the valuable insights noted in the special features, the conversation about the adaptation of A Hologram for the King for the screen is especially fascinating. The easy rapport between novel writer Dave Eggers and Tom Tykwer is a clear reason for the drama-comedy’s success.
Beyond that reason, the wild imagination sparking the full creation and effective execution of this unique story leaves viewers cartwheeling with delight and admiration during a standing ovation.
