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Aziz Ansari's directorial debut, this fantasy comedy by actor Aziz Ansari, has been struggling in theaters. Several reasons may explain its reception: Its generic name fails to convey the movie's unique appeal. Its script can be preachy and heavy-handed with its themes. Its acting seem uninspired and presentational, like the cast were reading dialogue directly from the page. And, it arrives at a time marked by financial uncertainty and disparity, which may make audiences less open to a story which implies wealthy individuals have all the benefits while the poor possess heart.

However, this is what Good Fortune stands out: It's original, daring, imaginative, frequently funny, and certainly timely. And, it provides a great the actor hangout experience.

Reeves in the role of Guardian: His Typical Portrayal

I have not regarded Reeves to be a strong performer. His flat delivery and consistent look of slight concern has always felt one-note, despite the broad variety of roles he's taken on over the last 40 years. Astute directors have often cast him in parts where his stoic nature works ideally, including his early work to the sci-fi classic to the action series. Yet nearly all of these roles required him to appear hardened, closed-off, and removed.

In Good Fortune, the actor plays an angel, a low-level protecting celestial being assigned with looking after people that use their phones while behind the wheel. His entire duty is remaining in his cars and gently touching the drivers' arms as they are about to have an accident, warning them so they brake before impact. However, while standing high above the city, looking down on the mortal world similar to an alternative interpretation of the angel from Wim Wenders' renowned film the angel story, the character gets aspirational. He desires to be an exceptional guardian and rescuer of wayward individuals.

The Surprising Shift: Keanu Playing a Mortal

Therefore, he reveals himself to struggling odd-jobber a character (played by the director), who's residing out of his car and cursing his situation. Gabriel proceeds to swaps the man with the existence of extremely wealthy tech mogul a character (played by Seth Rogen). This idea of the experiment was for Arj would realize Jeff's existence comes with significant downsides, and thankfully return to his own circumstances, much like a character in It's a Wonderful Life.

Issue is, Arj right away realizes how Jeff's problems (boring appointments, expensive pool-heater bill) prove negligible and easily resolved using wealth. Arj also sees that being rich provides limitless chances for pleasurable enjoyment. He shows no interest in returning to his previous life, and the angel can't force Arj to go back. Subsequently, more bad news comes: For exceeding his duties and disrupting the order of existence, Gabriel is fired as an celestial job, and transformed to a human being.

A Revelation: The Actor Grins

Personally, I remained never persuaded by Reeves playing an celestial being who has big dreams and an intense wish to effect change. He delivers the same vaguely constipated acting he's consistently offering for no less than the last three ten-year periods. Viewing Reeves in the role of celestial being who's recently become mortal initially, however, proved to be highly entertaining, due to something that truly surprised me at first: This is an element new for the actor. Or to be precise, something from the past.

Early into the character's confusing career being a mortal, clinging to the wealthy character (who Gabriel exchanged into the handyman's precarious life and jobless situation), Gabriel starts hesitantly trying out human experiences like chewing and swallowing meals. Then the actor smiles. Genuinely, cautiously, happily beams. (This is a lot much convincing than his grin shown in the promotional image, that looks digitally altered.)

The Reason This Smile Is Significant

It truly surprised me to realize just how surprising and refreshing the expression felt. At what point did we last we observed Keanu Reeves grin in a film where he was not showing malice, sarcasm, or resentment? The actor likely tries it somewhere in 2020's ill-conceived the sequel, however I am not going to revisiting that mess to confirm. Reeves has been stuck with grim, murderous, broody, or just serious roles for such a duration that merely seeing him grin felt like seeing an entirely new performer.

As the plot goes on, the character finds himself having to get a dishwashing job, which fails to provide enough to live on, and Gabriel begins smoking heavily due to frustration. Just the image of the actor in a cheap plastic restaurant cap, with his recent signature locks tied in an unglamorous bun, leaning against a building and puffing on a cigarette, is worthy of the price of admission. His kitchen worker attire completely changes his face and body: Suddenly, the lean, well-dressed physical powerhouse of the John Wick films becomes gawky, unglamorous, and a lot increasingly human.

A Joy of Viewing Keanu Relax

The film is not always enjoyable to watch, especially when the director (that also authored the screenplay) must find plausible explanations for {Ar