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Aziz Ansari's directorial debut, the whimsical comedy from actor Aziz Ansari, has been struggling in theaters. Several reasons may account for the film's reception: The generic title fails to convey the movie's distinctive appeal. Its script can be preachy and heavy-handed with its themes. Its acting are uninspired and presentational, as if the cast are reading dialogue straight from a script. And, it arrives at a time marked by economic uncertainty and disparity, that could render audiences less open to a narrative that suggests rich individuals enjoy every advantages while those in need possess spirit.

However, this is where Good Fortune excels: The film is original, bold, imaginative, often humorous, and undoubtedly timely. Plus, it provides an unexpectedly great the actor hangout experience.

Keanu Reeves as an Angel: A Familiar Performance

Personally, I've never regarded Reeves to be a strong actor. The actor's monotonal speaking style and consistent look of slight concern has consistently seemed one-note, regardless of his broad range of characters he has played over the past 40 of his career. Smart directors have often placed Reeves in parts where that stoic nature works perfectly, including My Own Private Idaho to the sci-fi classic to the action series. Yet almost all of these roles called for Reeves to seem hardened, distant, or removed.

In Good Fortune, the actor plays Gabriel, one minor protecting celestial being assigned with watching over people that text when behind the wheel. His entire duty involves sitting in their cars and lightly touching their shoulders when they are about to crash, warning them so they stop before impact. But, while standing overlooking his domain, gazing upon humanity like a interpretation of a celestial figure in the director's renowned film Wings of Desire, the character becomes aspirational. He desires to become an exceptional guardian and rescuer of lost individuals.

The Unexpected Shift: Keanu as a Mortal

So, he presents his presence to down-and-out odd-jobber Arj (portrayed by the director), who is living out of a vehicle and cursing his situation. Gabriel then exchanges Arj into the existence of extremely rich tech mogul a character (played by Seth Rogen). The point behind the exercise was that Arj would understand Jeff's life has major drawbacks, and thankfully return to his own life, similar to the character from It's a Wonderful Life.

Issue is, the character immediately realizes that Jeff's issues (boring appointments, a pricey pool-heater invoice) are negligible and easily resolved using wealth. He further sees that becoming affluent provides limitless chances for pleasurable enjoyment. He shows no desire in going back to his own life, and Gabriel is unable to force him to return. Then, more trouble comes: For overstepping his duties and disrupting the balance of the world, Gabriel loses his position from his angel job, and transformed into a human being.

A Revelation: Keanu Reeves Smiles

Personally, I remained never convinced by the actor playing an celestial being with big aspirations and a burning wish to effect change. He delivers the same somewhat stiff acting he's consistently offering for at least the past 3 decades. Watching him in the role of angel that has just become human for the first time, on the other hand, was highly entertaining, due to something which really surprised viewers initially: This is an element new for Reeves. Or perhaps more accurately, an aspect old.

Early into the character's confusing experience as a mortal, clinging to the wealthy character (who Gabriel had swapped into Arj's hand-to-mouth existence and underemployed situation), Gabriel starts hesitantly experimenting with human activities like chewing and consuming meals. Then the actor grins. Authentically, cautiously, joyously beams. (It's a lot much believable than the grin on the poster, that looks digitally altered.)

The Reason That Grin Matters

The moment really surprised me to recognize just how surprising and refreshing that smile was. At what point was the last time audiences observed the actor grin in a movie in which he was not expressing malice, sarcasm, or bitterness? He probably attempts it somewhere in 2020's ill-conceived Bill & Ted Face the Music, however I am not returning to that mess to find out. The actor has been typecast with grim, violent, introspective, or simply solemn characters for so long that just watching him smile seemed like observing an entirely different actor.

As the story goes on, Gabriel finds himself having to take a dishwashing job, a role that doesn't pay sufficient for survival, and he starts chain-smoking due to frustration. Simply the image of Reeves in a cheap paper restaurant cap, his late-career trademark long hair pulled back in a plain ponytail, slouching on a wall and puffing on a smoke, is worth the price of admission. His kitchen worker attire totally changes his face and body: Unexpectedly, the slim, well-dressed action star of his famous movies becomes gawky, unglamorous, and much increasingly human.

The Joy of Watching Keanu Relax

The film is not always fun to watch, particularly when the director (who additionally wrote the script) must find plausible reasons for {Ar