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Good Fortune, the whimsical film from actor Aziz Ansari, is facing challenges in theaters. Many reasons may explain the film's reception: Its uninspired name doesn't convey its movie's unique appeal. Its screenplay can be preachy and obvious regarding its themes. Its acting are uninspired and presentational, like the cast are reciting dialogue directly from the page. And, the film comes during an era of financial uncertainty and disparity, which could make viewers not very receptive to a narrative that suggests wealthy individuals enjoy all the benefits while the poor have spirit.

However, this is where the movie stands out: It's unique, bold, creative, frequently humorous, and certainly timely. Plus, it offers an unexpectedly enjoyable the actor character-driven experience.

Keanu Reeves in the role of Guardian: A Familiar Portrayal

I have never regarded Keanu Reeves a good actor. The actor's flat speaking style and consistent look of mild concern has consistently seemed limited, regardless of his broad variety of characters he has taken on during the past four decades of his career. Smart filmmakers have often cast Reeves in roles in which that stoic nature works perfectly, including his early work to The Matrix to John Wick. But almost every one of those roles called for him to appear tough, closed-off, and detached.

Throughout the film, Reeves plays an angel, one low-level protecting celestial being assigned with watching over individuals who use their phones while driving. His whole job involves sitting in their vehicles and gently touching their shoulders as they're about to have an accident, alerting them in order that the driver brake in time. But, while positioned overlooking his domain, looking down on the mortal world similar to a interpretation of a celestial figure from Wim Wenders' classic movie the angel story, Gabriel becomes aspirational. Gabriel wants to become a great protector and rescuer of wayward individuals.

The Surprising Shift: Reeves as a Mortal

Therefore, he presents his presence to struggling odd-jobber a character (played by the director), who's residing in a vehicle and cursing his life. Gabriel proceeds to swaps Arj with the life of stupidly rich tech mogul Jeff (acted by the comedian). This idea of the experiment was that the character to realize the wealthy man's life comes with significant downsides, and gratefully go back to his own life, much like a character from It's a Wonderful Life.

Problem was, Arj immediately discovers that the mogul's issues (tedious appointments, a pricey pool-heater invoice) prove minor and easily resolved with money. Arj also sees that becoming affluent provides limitless opportunities for self-indulgent fun. The character shows no desire in returning to his own life, and the angel can't compel him to return. Then, more bad news arrives: Because of overstepping his duties and disrupting the balance of the world, Gabriel loses his position from his celestial role, and transformed to a mortal.

The Revelation: Keanu Reeves Smiles

Personally, I remained never convinced by Reeves as an celestial being who has big aspirations and a burning desire to effect change. He turns in a familiar somewhat constipated acting he's been offering for no less than the last three ten-year periods. Watching Reeves as an angel that has just turned mortal for the first time, on the other hand, proved to be highly entertaining, for a reason that truly astonished me initially: This is something different for Reeves. Or perhaps to be precise, something old.

Early during his baffling experience as a mortal, staying with the wealthy character (who the angel exchanged with Arj's hand-to-mouth life and underemployed situation), the character begins tentatively trying out human activities such as eating and swallowing food. Then Reeves smiles. Genuinely, cautiously, joyously beams. (This is far much believable than the smile on the promotional image, that looks artificially added.)

The Reason That Smile Is Significant

It truly took me aback to recognize just how unexpected and refreshing that expression was. When was the last time we saw Keanu Reeves smile in a movie where he was not expressing malice, irony, or resentment? He probably tries it at some point in 2020's misbegotten the sequel, however I'm not returning to the disappointment to find out. Reeves has remained typecast with grim, violent, broody, or just solemn roles for so long that merely watching him grin seemed like observing a completely different performer.

While the plot goes on, Gabriel ends up needing to get a dishwashing job, a role that fails to provide enough to live on, and Gabriel starts smoking heavily due to disappointment. Simply the image of Reeves in a cheap paper food-service hat, his late-career signature long hair tied in a plain bun, slouching against a building and puffing on a cigarette, proves worthy of the price of admission. The dishwasher attire completely alters his face and posture: Unexpectedly, the lean, suited action star of the John Wick movies is gawky, unglamorous, and much increasingly human.

A Joy of Viewing Reeves Loosen Up

The film isn't always fun to view, particularly when Ansari (that additionally authored the screenplay) must create believable explanations for {Ar