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Good Fortune, this whimsical film from comedian Aziz Ansari, is struggling in theaters. Several reasons could account for the film's reception: The uninspired name doesn't express the movie's unique charm. Its script is often moralizing and obvious with the themes. Its performances are uninspired and staged, as if the actors are reading dialogue straight from a script. And, the film comes at a time marked by economic uncertainty and inequality, which may render audiences not very open to a narrative that implies rich individuals have all the benefits while the poor have spirit.

But, here's what Good Fortune excels: It's original, bold, imaginative, frequently humorous, and certainly timely. Plus, it offers a great the actor hangout experience.

Reeves as an Angel: A Familiar Performance

Personally, I've never regarded Reeves to be a good performer. His monotonal delivery and consistent expression of mild perturbation has consistently seemed limited, regardless of his broad range of roles he has played over the past 40 years. Astute filmmakers have often cast him in parts where that rigidity fits ideally, including his early work to the sci-fi classic to John Wick. Yet almost all of these roles called for Reeves to appear tough, closed-off, and removed.

Throughout the film, Reeves plays Gabriel, one low-level protecting angel tasked with looking after individuals that use their phones while driving. His whole job involves sitting in their vehicles and lightly making contact with their arms as they are about to have an accident, alerting the person in order that they stop in time. However, while positioned high above the city, gazing upon the mortal world similar to a interpretation of a celestial figure from the director's classic film the angel story, Gabriel becomes ambitious. He desires to be a great protector and a savior of wayward souls.

A Surprising Shift: Keanu as a Human

Therefore, Gabriel presents himself to struggling odd-jobber a character (portrayed by the director), who is living in a vehicle and resenting his situation. Gabriel proceeds to swaps Arj with the existence of extremely rich businessman Jeff (played by Seth Rogen). The point behind the experiment is that Arj to realize Jeff's life comes with major downsides, and thankfully return to his own life, much like a character in It's a Wonderful Life.

Issue is, the character immediately realizes how Jeff's problems (boring appointments, a pricey pool-heater bill) are minor and readily solved with money. He further sees that being affluent provides endless opportunities for self-indulgent enjoyment. He shows no desire in returning to his own situation, and the angel can't compel him to return. Then, more trouble arrives: For overstepping his mandate and messing with the balance of existence, Gabriel loses his position from his celestial role, and turned into a mortal.

The Discovery: Keanu Reeves Smiles

I was not persuaded by Reeves as an celestial being with big aspirations and a burning desire to make a difference. Reeves turns in a familiar vaguely constipated acting he's been providing for at least the last 3 decades. Viewing Reeves as an celestial being that has just become human for the first time, however, was a blast, for a reason that really surprised me initially: This is something different for Reeves. Or perhaps more accurately, something from the past.

Early during his baffling experience as a mortal, staying with the wealthy character (who Gabriel had swapped into Arj's hand-to-mouth existence and jobless status), Gabriel begins hesitantly trying out everyday activities like eating and swallowing food. And the actor smiles. Genuinely, cautiously, happily beams. (This is far much convincing than the grin on the poster, that appears artificially added.)

Why That Smile Matters

It really surprised me to realize just how surprising and welcome the expression was. When was the last time we saw Keanu Reeves smile in a film in which he wasn't expressing ill will, sarcasm, or resentment? The actor likely attempts a smile at some point in 2020's ill-conceived Bill & Ted Face the Music, however I am not returning to that mess to confirm. Reeves has remained typecast with serious, violent, introspective, or simply serious roles for such a duration that just watching Reeves grin seemed like seeing an entirely different performer.

While the story progresses, the character finds himself needing to take a kitchen position, which doesn't pay enough for survival, and he begins chain-smoking due to disappointment. Just the image of the actor in a cheap paper food-service hat, his recent trademark locks pulled back in an unglamorous bun, slouching against a wall and puffing on a smoke, proves worthy of the price of admission. The dishwasher attire completely alters his appearance and body: Unexpectedly, the slim, suited physical powerhouse of the John Wick movies becomes gawky, unglamorous, and a lot increasingly relatable.

The Pleasure of Viewing Keanu Relax

Good Fortune is not consistently fun to watch, particularly when the director (that additionally wrote the script) has to find plausible reasons for {Ar