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Good Fortune, this whimsical comedy from comedian the director, has been struggling in theaters. Many reasons could explain the film's performance: The uninspired title doesn't convey its movie's unique charm. The script can be preachy and obvious with its themes. The performances are uninspired and presentational, like the actors were reciting lines straight from the page. And, it arrives during an era of financial uncertainty and inequality, which could make viewers less receptive to a narrative that suggests rich individuals enjoy all the benefits while the poor possess heart.

But, this is what the movie excels: It's unique, bold, imaginative, frequently humorous, and undoubtedly relevant. Plus, it provides a great the actor hangout movie.

Keanu Reeves as an Guardian: A Familiar Portrayal

I have not considered Keanu Reeves to be a good actor. His monotonal speaking style and consistent look of slight concern has consistently felt limited, regardless of his broad range of roles he has taken on during the last 40 of his career. Smart filmmakers have cast Reeves in parts in which his rigidity works ideally, from My Own Private Idaho to the sci-fi classic to John Wick. But almost all of these roles called for him to appear tough, closed-off, or detached.

In the film, the actor plays Gabriel, one minor guardian angel assigned with looking after people that use their phones while driving. His entire duty involves sitting in his cars and lightly touching the drivers' shoulders as they're about to crash, alerting the person in order that they stop in time. However, when standing high above the city, looking down upon the mortal world like a version of a celestial figure from Wim Wenders' renowned movie the angel story, Gabriel becomes ambitious. He desires to become an exceptional guardian and a savior of wayward individuals.

The Unexpected Turn: Reeves Playing a Human

Therefore, Gabriel reveals his presence to struggling odd-jobber a character (played by the director), who is residing in his car and resenting his life. The angel proceeds to exchanges Arj with the existence of extremely wealthy tech mogul Jeff (acted by Seth Rogen). This idea behind the exercise was for the character would realize Jeff's life has significant drawbacks, and gratefully return to his original circumstances, much like a figure in It's a Wonderful Life.

Problem was, Arj right away discovers how Jeff's problems (tedious meetings, a pricey pool-heater bill) are negligible and easily resolved with money. Arj also sees that becoming affluent opens up limitless chances for self-indulgent fun. The character has no interest in returning to his own situation, and the angel is unable to force Arj to go back. Subsequently, more bad news arrives: Because of overstepping his duties and messing with the balance of the world, the character loses his position from his angel job, and turned into a human being.

The Discovery: The Actor Smiles

Personally, I remained not persuaded by Reeves playing an celestial being with grand dreams and a burning wish to make a difference. He delivers a familiar somewhat stiff performance he has consistently offering for at least the past 3 ten-year periods. Watching him in the role of celestial being that has recently turned mortal initially, however, proved to be a blast, for a reason which truly astonished viewers initially: It's an element different for Reeves. Or perhaps to be precise, an aspect old.

Soon during his baffling experience as a mortal, staying with Jeff (who Gabriel had swapped into the handyman's hand-to-mouth existence and jobless situation), Gabriel begins hesitantly trying out everyday activities like chewing and swallowing food. And Reeves smiles. Authentically, cautiously, happily beams. (This is a lot more believable than the smile shown in the poster, that looks artificially added.)

The Reason That Grin Matters

The moment truly surprised me to realize how unexpected and welcome the smile was. At what point was the last time audiences saw Keanu Reeves smile in a film where he wasn't showing ill will, sarcasm, or bitterness? The actor probably attempts it somewhere in the recent ill-conceived the sequel, but I'm not going to returning to the mess to find out. Reeves has been stuck with serious, violent, broody, or simply serious roles for so long that just watching him grin felt like observing a completely different actor.

As the story progresses, the character finds himself having to get a kitchen job, which doesn't pay sufficient for survival, and he starts smoking heavily out of frustration. Simply the sight of the actor in a cheap plastic restaurant hat, with his recent signature locks tied in an unglamorous ponytail, leaning on a wall and smoking a smoke, proves worthy of the price of admission. The kitchen worker attire completely changes his face and body: Suddenly, the slim, well-dressed physical powerhouse of his famous films becomes awkward, ordinary, and much more human.

The Joy of Viewing Reeves Loosen Up

Good Fortune isn't consistently fun to view, especially when Ansari (that also authored the screenplay) must find plausible reasons for {Ar