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Aziz Ansari's directorial debut, the fantasy comedy by comedian Aziz Ansari, has been facing challenges in theaters. Several factors could explain the film's reception: The generic name doesn't convey the film's distinctive appeal. Its script is often moralizing and obvious regarding the messages. Its acting are uninspired and presentational, like the actors are reading lines straight from a script. Moreover, the film comes at a time of economic anxiety and disparity, which may render audiences not very receptive to a story that implies rich individuals enjoy all the benefits while those in need possess spirit.

However, here's where the movie stands out: It's original, daring, creative, often humorous, and undoubtedly timely. And, it offers a enjoyable Keanu Reeves hangout experience.

Reeves as an Angel: A Familiar Portrayal

Personally, I've never considered Reeves to be a strong actor. His monotonal speaking style and consistent expression of mild perturbation have always felt one-note, despite the broad variety of characters he's played during the past four decades of his career. Astute directors have cast Reeves in parts in which his rigidity works ideally, from My Own Private Idaho to the sci-fi classic to the action series. But nearly all of these characters required Reeves to seem tough, distant, and detached.

In Good Fortune, the actor plays an angel, a low-level protecting angel assigned with looking after people that text while driving. His entire job involves remaining in his vehicles and gently making contact with their arms as they are about to crash, alerting them in order that the driver brake before impact. But, when positioned overlooking the city, gazing on the mortal world similar to a interpretation of the angel in the director's classic film the angel story, Gabriel becomes aspirational. He wants to be a great guardian and rescuer of wayward individuals.

A Unexpected Shift: Keanu as a Mortal

So, Gabriel presents his presence to down-and-out odd-jobber Arj (portrayed by Aziz Ansari), who is residing out of a vehicle and cursing his life. Gabriel then exchanges the man with the life of stupidly wealthy tech mogul a character (acted by Seth Rogen). The point of the experiment is that the character would realize Jeff's life has significant downsides, and gratefully go back to his original life, much like a character from It's a Wonderful Life.

Issue was, the character immediately discovers that the mogul's issues (tedious appointments, a pricey pool-heater invoice) are negligible and readily solved with money. Arj further sees that being rich opens up limitless chances for pleasurable enjoyment. He shows zero desire in going back to his previous life, and Gabriel can't compel him to go back. Then, additional trouble comes: Because of overstepping his mandate and messing with the order of the world, the character is fired from his celestial job, and transformed to a human being.

The Discovery: The Actor Grins

I was never convinced by Reeves playing an angel with big dreams and an intense desire to effect change. Reeves turns in a familiar somewhat constipated acting he has consistently providing for no less than the past three ten-year periods. Viewing him in the role of angel that has recently become human initially, however, proved to be a blast, for a reason that really surprised viewers initially: It's an element new for the actor. Or more accurately, an aspect from the past.

Early into the character's confusing experience being a human, staying with Jeff (whom Gabriel exchanged into Arj's hand-to-mouth life and jobless situation), Gabriel begins hesitantly experimenting with human activities like eating and swallowing meals. And the actor smiles. Genuinely, cautiously, happily beams. (It's far much believable than the grin on the promotional image, that looks artificially added.)

The Reason This Smile Is Significant

It truly surprised me to realize how unexpected and refreshing the smile felt. At what point did we last we saw Keanu Reeves smile in a movie where he wasn't showing ill will, irony, or resentment? The actor probably attempts a smile at some point in the recent ill-conceived Bill & Ted Face the Music, but I'm not going to revisiting the disappointment to find out. Reeves has been typecast with serious, murderous, introspective, or just serious characters for such a duration that merely seeing him grin felt like seeing a completely different performer.

As the plot goes on, the character finds himself having to take a dishwashing job, which doesn't pay sufficient for survival, and he begins smoking heavily out of disappointment. Simply the sight of Reeves in a disposable paper restaurant hat, with his recent trademark locks pulled back in an unglamorous bun, leaning on a wall and smoking a smoke, proves worth watching. His dishwasher attire completely alters his appearance and body: Suddenly, the slim, suited physical powerhouse of his famous films becomes awkward, unglamorous, and a lot more relatable.

The Joy of Viewing Reeves Relax

Good Fortune isn't consistently enjoyable to watch, particularly when Ansari (that also authored the script) has to create believable reasons for {Ar