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Aziz Ansari's directorial debut, the whimsical film by comedian Aziz Ansari, has been facing challenges in theaters. Many factors could explain the film's reception: Its uninspired name doesn't express the film's distinctive appeal. The script can be moralizing and obvious regarding the themes. The performances seem uninspired and staged, like the cast are reciting dialogue directly from the page. And, the film comes at a time marked by financial uncertainty and disparity, that may make audiences not very open to a narrative which suggests rich individuals enjoy every benefits while those in need have heart.

But, this is what Good Fortune excels: The film is unique, bold, creative, frequently humorous, and certainly relevant. And, it provides an unexpectedly great the actor character-driven movie.

Keanu Reeves as an Guardian: A Familiar Performance

Personally, I've never regarded Keanu Reeves to be a good performer. His flat delivery and persistent expression of mild concern have always felt limited, regardless of the broad variety of characters he has taken on over the past four decades years. Smart filmmakers have placed Reeves in parts in which that rigidity fits ideally, including his early work to the sci-fi classic to the action series. But almost every one of those roles required Reeves to seem tough, closed-off, and detached.

Throughout Good Fortune, Reeves portrays an angel, one low-level protecting celestial being tasked with watching over individuals who text when driving. His entire duty is remaining in their cars and lightly making contact with their shoulders when they are about to crash, alerting the person so the driver brake before impact. However, while positioned high above the city, gazing upon humanity like a interpretation of the angel in Wim Wenders' renowned film the angel story, the character becomes aspirational. Gabriel wants to become a great protector and a savior of lost souls.

The Unexpected Turn: Reeves as a Mortal

So, he reveals himself to down-and-out handyman Arj (portrayed by the director), who's living in his car and resenting his life. The angel then swaps the man into the life of stupidly wealthy tech mogul a character (played by the comedian). The point of the experiment is for the character would understand Jeff's existence has major downsides, and thankfully go back to his original circumstances, similar to a figure in the classic film.

Problem was, Arj right away discovers how the mogul's issues (boring meetings, expensive heating invoice) prove negligible and readily resolved with money. Arj also realizes that being affluent provides endless opportunities for self-indulgent enjoyment. The character shows zero desire in returning to his previous situation, and the angel can't force Arj to go back. Then, more trouble comes: Because of overstepping his duties and disrupting the balance of existence, Gabriel is fired as an celestial job, and transformed to a mortal.

The Revelation: The Actor Smiles

Personally, I remained never convinced by Reeves playing an angel who has big dreams and an intense wish to make a difference. Reeves turns in a familiar vaguely stiff acting he has consistently offering for at least the last three ten-year periods. Watching Reeves in the role of celestial being that has just turned human initially, on the other hand, was a blast, for a reason which really surprised me initially: This is an element new for the actor. Or to be precise, an aspect old.

Soon during the character's confusing career as a mortal, clinging to Jeff (whom the angel exchanged with the handyman's hand-to-mouth life and underemployed status), the character starts hesitantly experimenting with human activities like chewing and consuming food. Then the actor grins. Authentically, cautiously, joyously beams. (This is a lot much believable than his grin shown in the promotional image, which appears artificially added.)

Why That Grin Matters

It really took me aback to recognize just how unexpected and welcome that smile was. When was the last time we saw Keanu Reeves grin in a movie in which he was not showing ill will, sarcasm, or resentment? The actor likely attempts a smile somewhere in the recent misbegotten Bill & Ted Face the Music, however I am not going to returning to that disappointment to confirm. Reeves has been stuck with serious, murderous, broody, or just serious roles for such a duration that just watching him smile seemed like seeing a completely different performer.

As the plot progresses, the character finds himself needing to get a dishwashing job, which fails to provide sufficient for survival, and Gabriel starts chain-smoking due to frustration. Just the image of Reeves in a disposable paper restaurant cap, with his late-career signature locks pulled back in a plain ponytail, slouching against a building and puffing on a cigarette, proves worth the price of admission. His kitchen worker attire totally changes his appearance and posture: Unexpectedly, the lean, well-dressed action star of his famous movies becomes gawky, unglamorous, and much increasingly relatable.

The Pleasure of Viewing Reeves Relax

The film isn't consistently fun to watch, especially when the director (that also authored the screenplay) must create plausible explanations for {Ar