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Aziz Ansari's directorial debut, the fantasy comedy from comedian the director, is struggling at the box office. Several reasons could account for its reception: The uninspired title fails to convey its movie's distinctive appeal. Its script is often preachy and obvious regarding the themes. The performances are uninspired and presentational, as if the cast are reciting lines straight from the page. And, the film comes at a time of financial anxiety and disparity, which may render audiences less open to a story that implies wealthy people have every advantages while the poor possess spirit.

But, this is what Good Fortune excels: It's original, daring, imaginative, frequently funny, and certainly timely. And, it offers a enjoyable Keanu Reeves character-driven movie.

Keanu Reeves in the role of Angel: A Familiar Portrayal

Personally, I've not considered Keanu Reeves a good actor. The actor's monotonal speaking style and persistent look of mild perturbation have always felt one-note, despite the broad range of roles he has played during the past 40 years. Astute filmmakers have often cast him in roles in which his stoic nature works perfectly, including his early work to The Matrix to John Wick. Yet nearly all of those characters required him to appear hardened, closed-off, or detached.

In Good Fortune, the actor plays Gabriel, a minor protecting celestial being tasked with looking after individuals that text while behind the wheel. His whole job involves remaining in his cars and gently touching their arms as they are close to crash, warning the person in order that the driver stop before impact. However, while positioned high above the city, gazing on the mortal world like a version of the angel from the director's classic film the angel story, the character becomes ambitious. He wants to be a great guardian and rescuer of lost individuals.

The Unexpected Turn: Keanu Playing a Mortal

So, Gabriel presents himself to down-and-out odd-jobber Arj (played by the director), who's living in a vehicle and cursing his life. The angel then swaps Arj with the existence of extremely wealthy businessman a character (played by the comedian). The idea behind the exercise was that Arj would understand Jeff's existence comes with major drawbacks, and thankfully go back to his original circumstances, much like the figure in It's a Wonderful Life.

Problem is, Arj right away discovers that Jeff's issues (boring appointments, expensive pool-heater invoice) prove negligible and easily solved using wealth. He further realizes how becoming rich provides endless chances for pleasurable enjoyment. He shows no interest in going back to his previous life, and Gabriel can't compel Arj to go back. Subsequently, more trouble arrives: Because of exceeding his duties and messing with the balance of existence, the character is fired as an celestial role, and transformed to a human being.

A Revelation: Keanu Reeves Grins

I was not convinced by Reeves playing an angel who has grand aspirations and a burning desire to make a difference. He delivers the same somewhat stiff performance he's been providing for at least the past 3 ten-year periods. Viewing Reeves in the role of celestial being who's recently become mortal initially, however, proved to be a blast, for a reason that really astonished viewers initially: It's something different for Reeves. Or to be precise, an aspect old.

Soon during the character's confusing career as a human, staying with Jeff (who Gabriel exchanged with Arj's hand-to-mouth existence and underemployed situation), the character begins tentatively experimenting with everyday experiences like chewing and swallowing food. And Reeves smiles. Authentically, cautiously, joyously smiles. (This is far much believable than his grin on the poster, that looks artificially added.)

The Reason That Smile Matters

The moment truly surprised me to recognize just how unexpected and refreshing that expression was. When did we last audiences saw Keanu Reeves smile in a film where he was not showing ill will, irony, or bitterness? The actor probably tries it at some point in 2020's ill-conceived the sequel, however I'm not going to returning to the disappointment to confirm. The actor has been typecast with serious, murderous, broody, or just serious characters for so long that merely seeing him smile felt like observing an entirely new actor.

While the story goes on, the character ends up having to take a kitchen job, which fails to provide sufficient to live on, and Gabriel starts chain-smoking due to frustration. Just the image of Reeves in a disposable paper food-service cap, his recent trademark long hair tied in a plain ponytail, leaning on a building and puffing on a smoke, proves worthy of the price of admission. The kitchen worker getup completely alters his appearance and body: Unexpectedly, the lean, suited physical powerhouse of the John Wick films becomes gawky, unglamorous, and a lot more human.

A Joy of Viewing Keanu Loosen Up

The film isn't consistently fun to view, especially when Ansari (that additionally authored the script) must find plausible explanations for {Ar