Well August will be a slow month for new releases for home viewing. This week there is only one to note:
A HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING
Directed by Tom Tykwer
Screenplay by Tom Tykwer
Based on the book by Dave Eggers
Starring Tom Hanks; Alexander Black; Sarita Choudhury
Tom Hanks plays Alan an American businessman heading to Saudi Arabia to try and close a big deal that would help his company and himself.
This will be short because there is not much I can say without spoiling it.
This film is very quiet...it is almost like a combination of Lost In Translation and Salmon Fishing In The Yemen. Tom Hanks, Alan, is in Saudi Arabia and is dealing with time changes; culture changes; and health issues. Alan is also dealing with the slower way of life in Saudi Arabia while the company back home does not understand this way of life. So, he is feeling pressure.
This film also has the great Sarita Choudhury as Zahra the Dr helping Alan. I mean you have her and Hanks how could it be bad???!! Two of the best actors in the world!! She plays her part so soft, and it works compared to the high strung Hanks/Alan.
Alexander Black as Yousef is hilarious. He adds much needed levity, plus he is wise and he shows Alan the culture and life in Saudia Arabia.
Like noted before, this film is quiet and soft. When I left I thought...okay. Just...okay. However it stays with you. It touches on what so many people are going through these days, from, work layoffs, overseas competition, trying to make your family proud, all in a big ball of pressure. It is very real,
If I had an issue with this film it is that it moves at a nice quiet pace and it seems to really rush the ending. It is based on a book but it is only a an hour and thirty five minutes long, so they must have really cut a lot out. I wanted a little more of Alan's life going forward.
4 out of 5 stars for this beautiful nice and soft film.
From the shadows as always thanks for your time.
No comments:
Post a Comment