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Good Fortune, the whimsical film from actor Aziz Ansari, has been facing challenges in theaters. Many reasons may account for the film's reception: The uninspired title fails to convey the movie's distinctive charm. The script is often moralizing and heavy-handed with its messages. The acting are uninspired and presentational, as if the actors were reciting dialogue directly from a script. And, the film comes during an era of financial anxiety and inequality, that could make audiences not very open to a narrative which suggests rich people enjoy all the benefits while the poor have spirit.

But, here's what the movie excels: It's original, daring, creative, frequently humorous, and undoubtedly timely. Plus, it provides an unexpectedly great Keanu Reeves hangout experience.

Keanu Reeves as an Guardian: A Familiar Portrayal

I have not considered Reeves a good performer. The actor's flat speaking style and consistent expression of slight concern have always seemed one-note, despite his wide variety of roles he's played during the past 40 years. Astute filmmakers have placed Reeves in parts where that stoic nature works ideally, from his early work to the sci-fi classic to the action series. Yet almost all of those characters required him to appear hardened, closed-off, or detached.

Throughout the film, Reeves portrays Gabriel, one low-level guardian celestial being tasked with looking after individuals who use their phones while driving. His whole job involves sitting in their vehicles and gently touching the drivers' arms when they are close to crash, warning the person so the driver brake in time. However, when standing overlooking his domain, looking down on humanity similar to a version of the angel from Wim Wenders' classic movie the angel story, Gabriel becomes ambitious. Gabriel wants to be an exceptional guardian and rescuer of wayward souls.

A Surprising Shift: Keanu Playing a Mortal

So, he reveals his presence to down-and-out odd-jobber Arj (played by Aziz Ansari), who's living in a vehicle and resenting his life. Gabriel proceeds to exchanges the man with the existence of stupidly wealthy tech mogul Jeff (played by the comedian). The idea of the exercise was that Arj would understand the wealthy man's life comes with significant downsides, and thankfully return to his original life, much like a character from It's a Wonderful Life.

Problem is, the character right away realizes how the mogul's issues (boring meetings, expensive heating invoice) prove negligible and easily solved with wealth. Arj also realizes that being rich provides endless chances for self-indulgent enjoyment. He shows no desire in returning to his previous situation, and the angel is unable to compel Arj to go back. Subsequently, more trouble arrives: Because of overstepping his duties and messing with the balance of existence, Gabriel loses his position from his angel role, and turned to a mortal.

A Discovery: The Actor Grins

Personally, I remained not convinced by Reeves as an angel with big aspirations and an intense wish to make a difference. He turns in the same vaguely stiff acting he's consistently offering for no less than the past three decades. Watching him as an angel that has just become mortal for the first time, however, was a blast, due to something which truly astonished viewers initially: It's an element new for Reeves. Or perhaps to be precise, something old.

Soon during his confusing experience as a human, clinging to the wealthy character (whom Gabriel exchanged into the handyman's precarious existence and underemployed status), the character begins hesitantly trying out everyday activities such as chewing and swallowing food. And the actor smiles. Genuinely, cautiously, joyously beams. (It's a lot much believable than the smile on the promotional image, that appears artificially added.)

Why That Grin Is Significant

It truly surprised me to recognize how surprising and welcome the expression felt. When was the last time we saw Keanu Reeves grin in a movie in which he wasn't showing malice, irony, or bitterness? The actor probably attempts a smile at some point in 2020's misbegotten the sequel, but I am not returning to the mess to find out. The actor has been typecast with grim, violent, introspective, or just solemn characters for such a duration that just seeing him smile seemed like observing an entirely different actor.

While the plot goes on, the character finds himself needing to take a kitchen position, which doesn't pay enough to live on, and Gabriel starts smoking heavily due to disappointment. Simply the image of the actor in a disposable paper food-service cap, with his recent signature long hair tied in a plain ponytail, slouching against a building and puffing on a cigarette, is worth the price of admission. His kitchen worker attire completely alters his appearance and posture: Suddenly, the lean, well-dressed action star of the John Wick movies becomes gawky, ordinary, and a lot increasingly relatable.

A Pleasure of Watching Keanu Loosen Up

The film isn't always fun to watch, especially when the director (that additionally authored the script) must create believable reasons for {Ar