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Aziz Ansari's directorial debut, the whimsical film from comedian Aziz Ansari, has been struggling in theaters. Many reasons may explain the film's reception: Its uninspired name fails to express its movie's distinctive charm. The screenplay is often preachy and heavy-handed with the themes. Its acting seem flat and presentational, as if the actors were reciting dialogue directly from a script. And, the film comes during an era of economic anxiety and inequality, which could make audiences less open to a story which implies rich people enjoy all the benefits while those in need possess spirit.

However, this is where Good Fortune excels: It's original, bold, imaginative, frequently humorous, and certainly relevant. And, it provides an unexpectedly enjoyable the actor hangout movie.

Reeves as an Guardian: A Familiar Performance

Personally, I've not regarded Keanu Reeves a strong performer. His monotonal speaking style and persistent expression of slight perturbation has always seemed one-note, despite the wide range of roles he has taken on over the last four decades years. Smart filmmakers have placed Reeves in parts where that stoic nature fits perfectly, from his early work to The Matrix to John Wick. Yet almost every one of these roles required him to seem hardened, distant, or removed.

Throughout the film, the actor plays Gabriel, a minor guardian celestial being tasked with watching over people who text when behind the wheel. The character's entire job is sitting in his vehicles and lightly touching their arms as they are close to crash, alerting them in order that they brake in time. But, while standing overlooking the city, looking down upon the mortal world similar to a version of the angel from the director's renowned movie Wings of Desire, Gabriel gets ambitious. He wants to be a great guardian and rescuer of wayward souls.

A Surprising Turn: Keanu as a Human

So, he presents himself to down-and-out handyman a character (portrayed by the director), who is residing in a vehicle and resenting his situation. The angel then swaps the man with the life of extremely rich tech mogul a character (acted by the comedian). This idea of the exercise is that Arj to realize the wealthy man's life has major drawbacks, and thankfully return to his original circumstances, similar to the character in the classic film.

Issue was, Arj immediately realizes how Jeff's problems (boring appointments, expensive pool-heater invoice) are negligible and readily resolved with wealth. He further sees that being affluent opens up limitless chances for self-indulgent fun. He shows zero interest in going back to his previous situation, and the angel can't compel him to return. Subsequently, additional trouble arrives: Because of exceeding his mandate and messing with the balance of the world, the character is fired from his angel job, and transformed into a human being.

A Discovery: Keanu Reeves Smiles

Personally, I remained never persuaded by the actor as an angel with grand dreams and a burning wish to effect change. Reeves turns in a familiar vaguely stiff performance he has been providing for at least the last three ten-year periods. Viewing Reeves as an angel that has just turned mortal initially, however, was highly entertaining, due to something that truly surprised me initially: It's something new for the actor. Or to be precise, an aspect old.

Soon during the character's confusing career as a human, clinging to the wealthy character (who Gabriel exchanged into the handyman's hand-to-mouth existence and jobless status), Gabriel begins hesitantly trying out everyday activities like chewing and swallowing meals. And Reeves grins. Authentically, cautiously, happily smiles. (This is far much believable than the smile on the poster, which appears artificially added.)

The Reason This Smile Is Significant

The moment truly surprised me to recognize just how unexpected and welcome that smile was. When was the last time we observed the actor smile in a film where he wasn't showing malice, irony, or bitterness? He probably attempts it somewhere in the recent misbegotten Bill & Ted Face the Music, but I am not going to returning to that disappointment to find out. The actor has been typecast with serious, violent, broody, or just solemn characters for so long that just watching him smile felt like seeing an entirely different actor.

While the story progresses, the character ends up having to take a kitchen job, a role that doesn't pay enough to live on, and Gabriel begins smoking heavily out of disappointment. Simply the image of Reeves in a cheap plastic food-service hat, his recent trademark long hair pulled back in a plain bun, slouching on a building and smoking a cigarette, proves worth the price of admission. His kitchen worker getup totally alters his face and posture: Suddenly, the lean, well-dressed action star of his famous films is gawky, ordinary, and a lot increasingly human.

The Joy of Watching Keanu Loosen Up

The film isn't always enjoyable to watch, especially when Ansari (that also wrote the script) must find plausible reasons for {Ar