A Hologram for the King movie quotes tell the story of a man who travels to Saudi Arabia for a last-ditch effort to save his career. The drama movie was adapted into a screenplay by Tom Tykwer based on a novel of the same name written by Dave Eggers. Tom Tykwer directed A Hologram for the King, which opened in theaters on April 22, 2016.
In A Hologram for the King, Alan Clay (Tom Hanks) is a recently unsuccessful salesman who, in an attempt to save his career, travels to Saudi Arabia to pitch holographic technology to a king, which would be used as part of a business complex being built. Once in the Middle East, Alan meets Yousef (Alexander Black), who serves as his driver and guide to the location. But Alan also meets with those supposedly developing the complex to learn that so far, there's nothing but desert to show for their efforts.
Alan has a panic attack and wakes up to meet the very compassionate and beautiful Zahra (Sarita Choudhury). The two find comfort in one another and soon a romantic relationship springs up. But Alan's problems are not magically solved by this new friend as his sales pitch is still up in the air and the cultural and geographical difficulties of starting a relationship with Zahra lead to more questions than answers.
A Hologram for the King opened in theaters while other great films were showing such as The Huntsman: Winter's War, Elvis & Nixon, Criminal and Barbershop: The Next Cut.
A Hologram for the King Movie Quotes,
That's Where They Do the Executions
Alan Clay: There was something going on there yesterday.
Yousef: Yeah, that's where they do the executions. You want to go back and check out what's going on now?
Alan Clay: No, no!
In an area where little is happening, Alan inquires about the events taking place at a location they pass while driving. The intrigue to learn more soon fades when Yousef explains that the events were actually executions.
You Work for the CIA or Something?
Driver: You work for CIA or something?
Alan Clay: Just a little freelance work
...
Yousef: People don't like jokes like that.
Alan Clay: I knew it as soon as I said it.
A quick joke in passing to a man driving by about the CIA does not go over too well in the Middle Eastern country. Alan knew he made a mistake but was not anticipating the locals to pull automatic weapons on him in response.
I'm in Saudi Arabia
Ron: You sound like you're on the moon.
Alan Clay: No, I'm in Saudi Arabia. We're pitching a three-dimensional holographic meeting system to the king.
Phoning Ron from Saudi Arabia, Alan tries to explain that he's not on the moon, as the phone connection may sound like, rather away on business. In Ron's defense, heading to Saudi Arabia to pitch holographic technology sounds about as bizarre as traveling to the moon for business.
The Big Culture Clash
Alan Clay: I've lost direction, I think.
...
Zahra: I think I need to see you again.
...
Alan Clay: What do you think of this?
Zahra: You and me, the big culture clash? We are separate by the thinnest filament.
Alan Clay: Well, that's the way I think.
Zahra: That's the way it is.
Alan and Zahra spend more time together and a romantic relationship begins to form. This, however, is not exactly accepted by those around them due to their differences in ethnicity.
You'll Be Okay
Zahra: Mr. Clay
Alan Clay: What happened to me?
Zahra: An anxiety attack, you'll be okay.
Alan Clay: Thank you
After suffering an anxiety attack, Alan is greeted by a compassionate and beautiful woman, Zahra. Alan has felt very much alone, both here and at home, so this sweet woman in front of him is a welcome sight.
How Did I Get Here?
Alan Clay: You may find yourself living in your garden shack and you may find yourself without a beautiful house, without a beautiful wife and you may ask yourself, 'how did I get here?'
Speaking to the camera, Alan Clay describes what would one might feel if they lose everything that's important to them in life. Just as those in that situation may ask how it all happened, Alan himself is asking that same question about his life.
We Are the Trailblazers
Alan Clay: It's a brand new city. It's uncharted territory and we are the trailblazers.
In trying to energize his team, Alan focuses on the opportunity they have in Saudi Arabia. There might not be much there now but that doesn't mean that they cannot be part of building big something there.
Full Steam Ahead
Yousef: Excuse me
Alan Clay: Are you the driver?
Yousef: Driver, guy, hero
...
Yousef: Where are you from?
Alan Clay: Boston
Yousef: Do you like Chicago?
Alan Clay: Not in the winter
Yousef: No, the band... Why are you going to command? There's nothing happening there.
Alan Clay: Full steam ahead!
Yousef: See for yourself.
...
Sayed: The king might be coming today. Here's where we are right now. Industrial city, business center, university
Yousef: Full steam ahead!
Alan meets Yousef, who will serve as his driver and connection to the area, and the two head to command to meet with the king. Yousef wonders why Alan is traveling to the area and, after Alan sees a desolate desert, he too understands that things are not what he pictured.