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Aziz Ansari's directorial debut, the whimsical comedy by comedian Aziz Ansari, is facing challenges at the box office. Several factors could explain its performance: The generic name doesn't convey the movie's distinctive charm. The script is often preachy and heavy-handed with its themes. Its performances seem uninspired and presentational, as if the cast were reading lines directly from a script. Moreover, it arrives at a time of financial uncertainty and inequality, which could render viewers less receptive to a narrative which implies rich people enjoy every benefits while those in need have spirit.

But, this is where Good Fortune excels: The film is original, daring, creative, frequently funny, and certainly timely. Plus, it provides a great Keanu Reeves hangout movie.

Reeves in the role of Guardian: A Familiar Portrayal

I have not regarded Keanu Reeves to be a good performer. The actor's flat delivery and consistent look of slight perturbation has consistently seemed one-note, despite his wide variety of roles he's taken on over the last 40 years. Astute filmmakers have placed him in roles where his rigidity works ideally, including My Own Private Idaho to The Matrix to John Wick. But nearly every one of those roles called for him to appear tough, distant, or removed.

Throughout the film, Reeves plays an angel, a minor guardian celestial being tasked with watching over individuals who text when driving. His whole duty is sitting in their cars and gently touching the drivers' shoulders when they are close to crash, warning them in order that they brake in time. But, when positioned overlooking his domain, gazing on humanity like an alternative interpretation of the angel from the director's renowned film the angel story, Gabriel gets aspirational. Gabriel wants to become an exceptional guardian and rescuer of wayward souls.

The Unexpected Turn: Keanu Playing a Mortal

So, he presents his presence to down-and-out handyman Arj (portrayed by Aziz Ansari), who is living in a vehicle and cursing his situation. Gabriel proceeds to exchanges the man into the existence of extremely rich tech mogul Jeff (played by the comedian). The point of the experiment was for Arj would understand Jeff's life has major drawbacks, and gratefully return to his original circumstances, similar to a figure from the classic film.

Issue was, the character immediately realizes how Jeff's problems (boring appointments, expensive pool-heater invoice) are negligible and easily solved using wealth. Arj also sees that being rich provides limitless chances for pleasurable fun. The character shows zero interest in returning to his own life, and the angel can't compel him to go back. Subsequently, more bad news arrives: Because of overstepping his duties and disrupting the order of the world, Gabriel is fired from his celestial job, and turned to a mortal.

A Revelation: Keanu Reeves Grins

Personally, I remained not persuaded by Reeves as an angel with big dreams and a burning wish to effect change. Reeves turns in a familiar vaguely constipated performance he has been offering for no less than the last three ten-year periods. Viewing Reeves in the role of celestial being who's just turned human for the first time, on the other hand, was a blast, due to something that truly surprised me at first: This is an element new for the actor. Or perhaps to be precise, something from the past.

Early during his confusing career as a mortal, clinging to Jeff (who the angel had swapped with the handyman's hand-to-mouth life and jobless status), Gabriel begins hesitantly trying out human experiences like eating and consuming food. And the actor smiles. Genuinely, hesitantly, joyously smiles. (It's far much believable than the smile shown in the poster, that looks artificially added.)

Why This Grin Matters

It really surprised me to realize just how unexpected and welcome that expression was. When was the last time we saw the actor smile in a film in which he was not showing ill will, sarcasm, or bitterness? The actor probably attempts it somewhere in 2020's ill-conceived Bill & Ted Face the Music, however I'm not revisiting that disappointment to confirm. The actor has been stuck with serious, violent, introspective, or just serious characters for so long that merely watching Reeves smile felt like seeing an entirely new actor.

As the plot goes on, the character finds himself having to get a dishwashing position, which fails to provide sufficient for survival, and Gabriel begins smoking heavily due to disappointment. Simply the sight of the actor in a cheap plastic restaurant hat, his recent trademark long hair tied in an unglamorous bun, leaning on a wall and puffing on a cigarette, proves worthy of watching. His dishwasher attire totally changes his face and posture: Unexpectedly, the slim, well-dressed action star of the John Wick films is awkward, ordinary, and much more relatable.

A Pleasure of Viewing Keanu Loosen Up

The film isn't always enjoyable to view, particularly when Ansari (who additionally wrote the script) must find believable reasons for {Ar