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Good Fortune, the whimsical comedy from comedian Aziz Ansari, is facing challenges at the box office. Several factors could account for the film's reception: The uninspired title doesn't express its film's distinctive charm. Its screenplay can be moralizing and obvious with the themes. The performances seem flat and presentational, like the actors were reading lines directly from the page. Moreover, the film comes during an era of financial anxiety and inequality, which could render viewers less receptive to a story which suggests wealthy people enjoy every benefits while those in need possess heart.

But, here's where Good Fortune stands out: The film is unique, daring, creative, frequently funny, and certainly relevant. Plus, it provides a great the actor hangout experience.

Reeves as an Guardian: His Typical Performance

Personally, I've never regarded Reeves to be a strong actor. His flat delivery and persistent look of mild perturbation have always seemed one-note, regardless of his broad range of characters he has played over the past 40 years. Astute directors have often cast Reeves in parts where that rigidity works perfectly, from his early work to the sci-fi classic to John Wick. Yet nearly every one of these roles called for Reeves to appear hardened, closed-off, or detached.

Throughout Good Fortune, Reeves portrays an angel, one low-level guardian celestial being assigned with watching over individuals who text when behind the wheel. The character's whole job is sitting in his cars and gently making contact with the drivers' arms as they're close to have an accident, alerting them so the driver stop before impact. But, while positioned high above his domain, gazing on the mortal world like a interpretation of a celestial figure from Wim Wenders' classic movie Wings of Desire, Gabriel gets ambitious. Gabriel desires to become an exceptional protector and rescuer of wayward individuals.

A Surprising Turn: Keanu Playing a Mortal

So, Gabriel reveals himself to down-and-out handyman Arj (played by the director), who is residing in his car and resenting his life. Gabriel then swaps the man into the existence of extremely wealthy businessman a character (acted by Seth Rogen). This point behind the exercise was that Arj would understand Jeff's life comes with significant drawbacks, and thankfully return to his original life, similar to a character in It's a Wonderful Life.

Issue was, Arj immediately discovers how the mogul's problems (boring meetings, expensive pool-heater bill) are minor and easily solved using money. He also realizes that becoming affluent opens up limitless opportunities for self-indulgent fun. The character has zero desire in returning to his previous life, and the angel can't compel him to return. Then, additional trouble arrives: Because of overstepping his mandate and disrupting the order of existence, the character is fired as an angel job, and transformed to a mortal.

The Discovery: Keanu Reeves Grins

Personally, I remained not convinced by the actor playing an celestial being who has big dreams and an intense wish to make a difference. Reeves delivers the same vaguely constipated performance he's consistently providing for at least the last three ten-year periods. Watching him in the role of celestial being who's just become human initially, on the other hand, proved to be a blast, due to something that truly astonished me initially: This is something different for Reeves. Or to be precise, something from the past.

Soon during his confusing experience being a mortal, staying with Jeff (who the angel had swapped with the handyman's hand-to-mouth life and jobless status), the character begins hesitantly trying out everyday experiences like chewing and swallowing meals. Then Reeves smiles. Genuinely, hesitantly, happily smiles. (It's a lot much convincing than the grin on the poster, that appears digitally altered.)

Why This Grin Is Significant

It truly took me aback to recognize just how surprising and refreshing that expression was. When did we last audiences observed the actor smile in a film where he wasn't showing ill will, irony, or resentment? He probably tries a smile somewhere in 2020's ill-conceived the sequel, however I am not returning to that disappointment to find out. The actor has remained typecast with serious, violent, introspective, or simply serious characters for such a duration that merely seeing Reeves smile seemed like observing a completely new actor.

While the plot progresses, Gabriel ends up needing to get a dishwashing position, a role that fails to provide enough to live on, and he begins smoking heavily due to frustration. Simply the sight of Reeves in a cheap paper restaurant cap, his recent signature locks pulled back in a plain ponytail, leaning against a building and smoking a smoke, is worth the price of admission. The kitchen worker attire completely changes his face and posture: Unexpectedly, the slim, well-dressed action star of the John Wick movies becomes awkward, unglamorous, and a lot more relatable.

A Pleasure of Watching Keanu Relax

The film isn't always enjoyable to view, particularly when the director (that additionally authored the screenplay) has to create plausible explanations for {Ar