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Good Fortune, this whimsical film by comedian the director, has been struggling in theaters. Many reasons could explain the film's performance: Its uninspired title doesn't convey the film's unique charm. The script can be moralizing and obvious regarding the messages. Its acting seem uninspired and presentational, as if the cast were reciting lines straight from the page. Moreover, it arrives at a time of economic uncertainty and disparity, which could render audiences not very receptive to a narrative that implies rich people have all the advantages while the poor possess spirit.

But, this is what Good Fortune stands out: The film is unique, bold, creative, often funny, and undoubtedly timely. Plus, it offers a great Keanu Reeves character-driven movie.

Keanu Reeves in the role of Angel: His Typical Performance

I have not considered Reeves a good performer. The actor's flat speaking style and consistent expression of slight perturbation have always felt limited, despite the broad variety of roles he has taken on over the past four decades years. Astute directors have placed Reeves in roles where his rigidity works perfectly, including his early work to The Matrix to John Wick. But almost every one of these characters required Reeves to seem tough, closed-off, and detached.

Throughout Good Fortune, the actor plays an angel, a low-level guardian celestial being tasked with watching over people that text when behind the wheel. The character's entire duty involves sitting in their vehicles and gently touching the drivers' arms as they are about to have an accident, warning the person in order that they stop before impact. However, while standing high above the city, gazing on humanity similar to a interpretation of the angel in the director's renowned film the angel story, Gabriel becomes aspirational. Gabriel desires to be a great protector and rescuer of wayward souls.

A Unexpected Turn: Reeves Playing a Human

So, Gabriel presents his presence to down-and-out odd-jobber Arj (portrayed by the director), who is living out of a vehicle and cursing his life. Gabriel proceeds to swaps Arj into the life of stupidly rich businessman a character (played by the comedian). The idea behind the experiment was that the character would understand the wealthy man's life has significant downsides, and gratefully go back to his own life, much like a character from the classic film.

Issue was, Arj right away realizes that Jeff's problems (boring appointments, a pricey heating bill) prove negligible and readily resolved using money. Arj also realizes that being rich provides endless chances for self-indulgent fun. The character shows no desire in going back to his own life, and Gabriel can't force Arj to go back. Subsequently, more bad news comes: For exceeding his duties and disrupting the order of the world, Gabriel loses his position as an celestial job, and turned to a human being.

The Discovery: The Actor Smiles

Personally, I remained never persuaded by the actor as an celestial being who has big aspirations and a burning desire to effect change. Reeves delivers the same vaguely stiff performance he's consistently providing for no less than the past 3 ten-year periods. Watching Reeves in the role of celestial being who's just turned mortal for the first time, however, proved to be highly entertaining, due to something that really surprised me at first: This is an element different for Reeves. Or to be precise, something old.

Early into the character's baffling experience being a human, staying with the wealthy character (whom the angel exchanged into Arj's hand-to-mouth life and jobless status), the character starts tentatively experimenting with human activities such as chewing and consuming meals. Then the actor smiles. Authentically, hesitantly, happily beams. (This is far much convincing than his grin on the promotional image, which looks artificially added.)

The Reason This Grin Matters

The moment really took me aback to recognize just how surprising and welcome that expression was. When did we last audiences observed Keanu Reeves grin in a movie where he wasn't expressing ill will, irony, or resentment? The actor probably attempts a smile somewhere in 2020's ill-conceived Bill & Ted Face the Music, however I am not returning to the mess to confirm. The actor has remained typecast with serious, violent, broody, or just serious roles for such a duration that merely watching Reeves smile seemed like observing an entirely new performer.

As the story progresses, the character finds himself having to take a dishwashing position, which doesn't pay sufficient for survival, and Gabriel begins chain-smoking due to frustration. Just the image of the actor in a disposable plastic food-service cap, with his recent trademark long hair pulled back in a plain bun, slouching on a building and puffing on a cigarette, proves worthy of watching. His kitchen worker attire totally alters his face and body: Suddenly, the lean, suited action star of the John Wick movies is gawky, unglamorous, and a lot increasingly human.

The Pleasure of Viewing Keanu Loosen Up

Good Fortune is not always fun to view, especially when Ansari (who also authored the script) has to find believable reasons for {Ar