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Good Fortune, the fantasy comedy by actor Aziz Ansari, is facing challenges in theaters. Many factors could account for the film's performance: Its uninspired name fails to express its movie's distinctive charm. Its screenplay is often preachy and obvious regarding the themes. The performances seem uninspired and staged, like the actors are reading lines directly from a script. And, it arrives during an era marked by financial uncertainty and disparity, which may make audiences less open to a narrative which suggests rich individuals have every advantages while the poor have spirit.

However, here's what Good Fortune excels: The film is original, bold, creative, frequently funny, and undoubtedly timely. And, it offers an unexpectedly great Keanu Reeves hangout experience.

Reeves in the role of Angel: A Familiar Performance

Personally, I've never regarded Reeves a good actor. The actor's flat speaking style and persistent expression of slight concern have consistently felt limited, regardless of his wide range of characters he has played over the past 40 of his career. Astute filmmakers have placed Reeves in parts where his rigidity works perfectly, from his early work to the sci-fi classic to John Wick. But nearly every one of these characters called for him to seem hardened, closed-off, or removed.

In Good Fortune, Reeves plays an angel, a low-level guardian celestial being assigned with looking after individuals who text while driving. The character's entire duty involves sitting in their vehicles and gently touching their shoulders as they are close to have an accident, alerting the person in order that the driver brake before impact. But, while standing overlooking the city, gazing on the mortal world similar to a version of the angel from Wim Wenders' renowned film the angel story, the character gets ambitious. Gabriel wants to become a great guardian and rescuer of wayward souls.

The Unexpected Shift: Keanu as a Mortal

So, he reveals himself to down-and-out odd-jobber Arj (portrayed by Aziz Ansari), who's residing out of his car and resenting his situation. The angel then exchanges Arj with the life of stupidly rich businessman a character (acted by the comedian). The point of the experiment is for the character to understand the wealthy man's existence comes with major downsides, and thankfully go back to his own circumstances, much like a figure from the classic film.

Problem is, Arj immediately realizes that the mogul's problems (tedious meetings, a pricey heating invoice) are minor and easily solved with wealth. He also sees how becoming rich opens up endless opportunities for self-indulgent enjoyment. The character shows zero desire in returning to his own life, and Gabriel can't force Arj to return. Then, more trouble arrives: For overstepping his duties and messing with the order of the world, the character loses his position from his celestial job, and transformed to a mortal.

A Revelation: The Actor Grins

I was not persuaded by Reeves playing an angel who has big aspirations and a burning wish to effect change. Reeves delivers a familiar vaguely stiff acting he's been offering for at least the past 3 decades. Viewing Reeves as an celestial being who's recently turned human for the first time, however, proved to be highly entertaining, for a reason that really surprised me initially: It's something new for the actor. Or perhaps to be precise, an aspect from the past.

Soon during his confusing career being a mortal, staying with the wealthy character (who the angel exchanged with Arj's hand-to-mouth existence and jobless status), Gabriel begins tentatively experimenting with everyday experiences like chewing and consuming meals. Then Reeves grins. Authentically, hesitantly, happily beams. (This is a lot much convincing than the grin on the poster, which appears artificially added.)

Why That Smile Is Significant

It really took me aback to realize how surprising and refreshing that smile was. When was the last time we saw the actor grin in a film in which he was not expressing malice, irony, or bitterness? He probably tries it somewhere in the recent misbegotten the sequel, but I am not revisiting that disappointment to find out. Reeves has remained stuck with serious, murderous, broody, or simply serious roles for so long that just seeing Reeves smile seemed like observing an entirely different performer.

As the story progresses, the character ends up needing to get a dishwashing position, which doesn't pay enough to live on, and he begins smoking heavily out of disappointment. Simply the image of the actor in a disposable paper restaurant cap, his late-career trademark locks tied in a plain bun, slouching against a building and puffing on a cigarette, proves worthy of watching. The kitchen worker attire completely changes his appearance and body: Unexpectedly, the lean, suited physical powerhouse of the John Wick movies is awkward, unglamorous, and a lot more human.

The Pleasure of Viewing Keanu Loosen Up

Good Fortune isn't consistently fun to view, particularly when Ansari (who also wrote the script) must find believable explanations for {Ar