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Aziz Ansari's directorial debut, the fantasy comedy from actor the director, is struggling in theaters. Several reasons could explain the film's reception: The uninspired title doesn't express the film's unique charm. The screenplay can be moralizing and heavy-handed regarding its themes. Its acting are uninspired and presentational, as if the cast are reciting dialogue straight from the page. And, it arrives at a time of economic anxiety and inequality, that could make viewers less receptive to a narrative which implies rich people enjoy all the benefits while the poor have heart.

But, this is where Good Fortune excels: It's original, bold, creative, often humorous, and certainly timely. And, it provides an unexpectedly enjoyable Keanu Reeves hangout movie.

Keanu Reeves as an Angel: His Typical Performance

I have not considered Keanu Reeves to be a strong performer. The actor's monotonal delivery and persistent look of mild concern has consistently seemed limited, regardless of his broad variety of roles he's taken on over the past 40 years. Smart filmmakers have often placed Reeves in parts in which that rigidity works perfectly, from his early work to The Matrix to John Wick. But nearly every one of these characters called for him to appear tough, distant, or removed.

In the film, the actor portrays Gabriel, a minor protecting angel tasked with watching over people who use their phones when behind the wheel. His entire job is remaining in their vehicles and gently making contact with their arms as they are about to crash, alerting the person in order that they brake before impact. But, when standing high above the city, looking down on humanity like an alternative interpretation of a celestial figure from Wim Wenders' classic film Wings of Desire, the character becomes aspirational. He wants to become an exceptional protector and rescuer of wayward souls.

The Unexpected Turn: Keanu as a Human

Therefore, he presents himself to struggling handyman Arj (portrayed by Aziz Ansari), who is living out of his car and cursing his life. The angel proceeds to exchanges Arj into the existence of extremely wealthy businessman Jeff (played by Seth Rogen). This idea behind the exercise was that the character to realize Jeff's life comes with significant drawbacks, and gratefully return to his original circumstances, similar to a character from It's a Wonderful Life.

Issue is, Arj immediately realizes that Jeff's issues (tedious appointments, expensive heating invoice) are negligible and readily resolved with wealth. Arj also realizes how being affluent provides endless opportunities for self-indulgent fun. The character shows no interest in going back to his own situation, and the angel can't force him to go back. Then, additional bad news comes: Because of exceeding his mandate and disrupting the order of existence, Gabriel is fired as an angel job, and turned into a human being.

A Discovery: Keanu Reeves Grins

I was not convinced by the actor as an celestial being with big dreams and an intense desire to effect change. Reeves delivers the same vaguely stiff performance he has been providing for no less than the past three ten-year periods. Watching Reeves in the role of angel who's just turned human initially, however, proved to be highly entertaining, for a reason which truly surprised me at first: This is an element different for the actor. Or perhaps to be precise, something from the past.

Soon during his confusing experience being a human, staying with the wealthy character (who Gabriel exchanged into Arj's hand-to-mouth existence and jobless status), Gabriel starts hesitantly experimenting with everyday experiences like chewing and swallowing meals. Then Reeves grins. Authentically, cautiously, happily smiles. (This is a lot more believable than his grin on the poster, that looks artificially added.)

The Reason That Grin Is Significant

The moment truly took me aback to realize how surprising and refreshing that expression felt. When was the last time we observed Keanu Reeves smile in a movie where he wasn't expressing ill will, sarcasm, or bitterness? The actor probably attempts it somewhere in the recent misbegotten the sequel, however I'm not going to revisiting that disappointment to confirm. The actor has remained typecast with grim, violent, broody, or just solemn characters for so long that merely watching him smile seemed like seeing a completely new performer.

As the plot progresses, the character ends up having to get a dishwashing job, which doesn't pay enough to live on, and he starts chain-smoking out of disappointment. Simply the image of the actor in a disposable plastic food-service hat, his late-career trademark locks tied in a plain ponytail, slouching on a wall and smoking a cigarette, is worthy of the price of admission. His dishwasher attire completely changes his face and posture: Unexpectedly, the slim, suited action star of the John Wick movies becomes gawky, unglamorous, and much more human.

The Pleasure of Viewing Reeves Loosen Up

Good Fortune isn't consistently enjoyable to view, especially when Ansari (who additionally wrote the script) has to create plausible reasons for {Ar