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Good Fortune, this whimsical comedy by comedian Aziz Ansari, is facing challenges in theaters. Many factors may explain the film's reception: The generic name fails to express the film's distinctive charm. Its screenplay can be preachy and obvious regarding the messages. The performances are flat and presentational, like the actors are reciting dialogue directly from a script. Moreover, the film comes during an era marked by economic uncertainty and inequality, that could render audiences less open to a story which suggests wealthy individuals have all the benefits while the poor have spirit.

But, this is where Good Fortune stands out: The film is unique, daring, imaginative, often humorous, and undoubtedly relevant. And, it offers a enjoyable the actor character-driven movie.

Keanu Reeves in the role of Guardian: His Typical Portrayal

Personally, I've never considered Keanu Reeves to be a good performer. His flat speaking style and persistent look of mild concern have always felt limited, regardless of the wide range of characters he has played over the last 40 years. Astute directors have often cast Reeves in roles in which that stoic nature works ideally, including his early work to the sci-fi classic to John Wick. Yet nearly all of those characters required Reeves to appear tough, distant, or removed.

Throughout Good Fortune, the actor plays an angel, a low-level guardian angel assigned with watching over individuals who text while behind the wheel. The character's whole job is sitting in his cars and lightly touching the drivers' arms when they're about to have an accident, warning the person in order that the driver brake before impact. But, when positioned overlooking the city, gazing on humanity like a interpretation of the angel in Wim Wenders' renowned film the angel story, the character gets ambitious. He desires to become a great protector and rescuer of wayward souls.

The Surprising Turn: Reeves Playing a Mortal

Therefore, he reveals his presence to struggling odd-jobber Arj (played by Aziz Ansari), who is living out of a vehicle and resenting his situation. Gabriel then exchanges the man with the life of extremely wealthy tech mogul Jeff (played by Seth Rogen). The point behind the exercise was for Arj to understand the wealthy man's life comes with major downsides, and thankfully return to his original life, much like the character in It's a Wonderful Life.

Issue is, the character right away realizes how the mogul's problems (boring appointments, expensive heating invoice) are negligible and readily solved using wealth. Arj also realizes how being affluent provides endless chances for self-indulgent enjoyment. The character has zero interest in returning to his own life, and the angel can't compel him to go back. Then, more bad news comes: For exceeding his duties and messing with the balance of existence, Gabriel is fired as an angel role, and turned to a human being.

A Discovery: Keanu Reeves Smiles

Personally, I remained not convinced by Reeves playing an celestial being who has grand dreams and a burning desire to make a difference. Reeves turns in a familiar somewhat stiff acting he has been providing for no less than the last three decades. Watching Reeves as an angel that has recently turned human initially, however, proved to be a blast, due to something that really surprised viewers initially: It's something new for the actor. Or to be precise, an aspect old.

Early into his confusing career being a mortal, clinging to the wealthy character (who the angel exchanged into the handyman's hand-to-mouth existence and underemployed situation), Gabriel starts hesitantly trying out human activities like chewing and swallowing meals. And Reeves grins. Authentically, hesitantly, happily smiles. (This is far more believable than his smile shown in the promotional image, which appears digitally altered.)

The Reason That Smile Is Significant

It truly surprised me to realize just how surprising and welcome the expression felt. When was the last time audiences observed Keanu Reeves grin in a movie in which he wasn't expressing ill will, sarcasm, or resentment? He probably tries a smile somewhere in the recent ill-conceived Bill & Ted Face the Music, but I am not going to returning to the disappointment to confirm. Reeves has been typecast with grim, murderous, broody, or simply solemn characters for such a duration that merely watching him grin seemed like observing an entirely new actor.

While the plot progresses, the character finds himself having to take a dishwashing position, a role that doesn't pay sufficient to live on, and Gabriel begins chain-smoking out of disappointment. Just the sight of the actor in a cheap paper food-service hat, his recent trademark long hair pulled back in a plain ponytail, leaning against a wall and smoking a cigarette, proves worth watching. The kitchen worker getup completely changes his face and body: Suddenly, the slim, suited action star of the John Wick movies becomes gawky, unglamorous, and a lot increasingly human.

A Pleasure of Viewing Reeves Relax

Good Fortune is not consistently fun to view, especially when the director (who also authored the script) has to create plausible explanations for {Ar