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Good Fortune, this fantasy film from actor Aziz Ansari, has been struggling at the box office. Many reasons may account for its performance: Its uninspired name doesn't convey the movie's unique charm. The script can be preachy and obvious with the themes. Its acting are uninspired and presentational, like the cast are reading lines straight from a script. Moreover, it arrives during an era marked by financial anxiety and inequality, that may render audiences not very receptive to a story which implies wealthy people have all the benefits while those in need have spirit.

But, this is what Good Fortune stands out: The film is unique, daring, imaginative, often humorous, and undoubtedly relevant. Plus, it provides an unexpectedly great the actor hangout movie.

Reeves in the role of Guardian: His Typical Portrayal

I have not regarded Reeves a strong performer. The actor's flat speaking style and consistent expression of slight perturbation have always felt one-note, regardless of his broad range of roles he has played during the past four decades of his career. Smart filmmakers have placed him in parts in which his stoic nature fits ideally, including his early work to The Matrix to the action series. Yet nearly every one of these roles called for Reeves to appear hardened, closed-off, and detached.

Throughout Good Fortune, the actor plays Gabriel, a low-level protecting angel tasked with looking after individuals that use their phones when behind the wheel. His entire duty is sitting in their vehicles and gently making contact with the drivers' shoulders when they're about to have an accident, warning them so they stop before impact. But, when positioned overlooking the city, gazing on humanity like an alternative version of a celestial figure in Wim Wenders' classic film Wings of Desire, Gabriel gets ambitious. Gabriel desires to become a great protector and a savior of lost souls.

A Surprising Shift: Keanu as a Human

So, he reveals his presence to down-and-out odd-jobber a character (played by Aziz Ansari), who is residing in a vehicle and cursing his life. The angel then swaps the man with the existence of stupidly wealthy businessman Jeff (played by the comedian). This point behind the experiment was for Arj to realize Jeff's existence has major downsides, and gratefully return to his own circumstances, much like a figure in It's a Wonderful Life.

Problem is, the character right away discovers that Jeff's problems (tedious appointments, a pricey pool-heater bill) prove negligible and easily resolved with wealth. Arj also sees how becoming rich provides limitless chances for self-indulgent enjoyment. He has no interest in going back to his own life, and Gabriel can't compel him to go back. Subsequently, more bad news arrives: For overstepping his mandate and disrupting the order of the world, Gabriel loses his position from his angel role, and turned into a human being.

The Revelation: Keanu Reeves Smiles

Personally, I remained never persuaded by the actor playing an angel with grand aspirations and a burning desire to make a difference. Reeves turns in the same somewhat constipated acting he has consistently providing for no less than the past three ten-year periods. Viewing Reeves as an celestial being that has recently turned human initially, however, was a blast, for a reason that really surprised me at first: This is something different for Reeves. Or to be precise, something from the past.

Soon during the character's baffling career being a mortal, staying with the wealthy character (who Gabriel exchanged with Arj's precarious existence and underemployed status), Gabriel begins hesitantly trying out human activities like eating and swallowing food. And the actor smiles. Authentically, cautiously, joyously smiles. (It's far much convincing than his grin on the promotional image, which looks artificially added.)

Why That Smile Matters

It truly took me aback to recognize how surprising and refreshing that expression was. When did we last audiences observed the actor smile in a movie where he wasn't expressing ill will, sarcasm, or bitterness? The actor likely tries it somewhere in the recent misbegotten the sequel, however I am not revisiting that mess to find out. Reeves has been stuck with grim, violent, introspective, or simply solemn characters for so long that merely watching Reeves grin felt like observing a completely different actor.

As the plot goes on, Gabriel finds himself needing to take a dishwashing job, which doesn't pay enough to live on, and Gabriel starts smoking heavily due to frustration. Just the image of the actor in a disposable paper restaurant hat, with his late-career trademark long hair pulled back in a plain ponytail, leaning against a wall and smoking a cigarette, is worth the price of admission. His kitchen worker getup completely changes his appearance and body: Suddenly, the slim, suited physical powerhouse of the John Wick movies becomes gawky, ordinary, and a lot increasingly human.

The Joy of Watching Reeves Loosen Up

The film is not consistently enjoyable to view, especially when the director (that additionally wrote the script) has to find believable reasons for {Ar