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Good Fortune, this fantasy comedy from actor the director, has been facing challenges in theaters. Many factors may explain its reception: Its generic title fails to convey the movie's unique charm. Its script is often preachy and heavy-handed regarding the themes. The performances seem uninspired and staged, like the cast are reciting dialogue directly from the page. Moreover, the film comes during an era marked by economic uncertainty and disparity, which could render viewers not very open to a story that implies rich individuals enjoy all the benefits while those in need possess spirit.

But, this is where Good Fortune stands out: The film is unique, bold, imaginative, frequently funny, and undoubtedly relevant. And, it offers a enjoyable Keanu Reeves hangout experience.

Reeves in the role of Angel: A Familiar Portrayal

Personally, I've not considered Reeves a good performer. The actor's flat speaking style and persistent expression of slight perturbation have always felt one-note, despite the wide range of characters he has taken on over the last four decades years. Astute directors have often placed Reeves in parts where his rigidity fits ideally, from his early work to the sci-fi classic to the action series. But nearly all of these characters required Reeves to seem tough, closed-off, and removed.

Throughout Good Fortune, Reeves plays an angel, a minor guardian celestial being assigned with watching over people who use their phones when behind the wheel. His entire duty involves sitting in their cars and gently making contact with the drivers' arms as they're about to crash, warning the person in order that they stop in time. However, while standing overlooking his domain, gazing upon humanity similar to a interpretation of a celestial figure from Wim Wenders' renowned film Wings of Desire, Gabriel gets aspirational. He wants to be an exceptional guardian and rescuer of lost souls.

The Unexpected Shift: Keanu Playing a Mortal

Therefore, he reveals his presence to struggling handyman a character (played by Aziz Ansari), who is residing out of his car and cursing his life. The angel proceeds to swaps the man into the existence of extremely wealthy businessman a character (played by the comedian). This idea behind the experiment is that Arj to understand the wealthy man's life has major downsides, and gratefully return to his own circumstances, similar to the figure in the classic film.

Problem was, Arj right away realizes how the mogul's issues (boring appointments, expensive pool-heater bill) prove minor and easily resolved with wealth. He also sees that becoming rich opens up endless chances for self-indulgent enjoyment. The character has no interest in returning to his previous life, and Gabriel is unable to compel him to go back. Subsequently, additional trouble comes: For exceeding his duties and messing with the balance of the world, the character is fired as an angel job, and transformed into a human being.

A Discovery: The Actor Smiles

Personally, I remained never persuaded by Reeves playing an celestial being who has big dreams and an intense wish to make a difference. Reeves delivers a familiar somewhat constipated performance he has consistently providing for at least the last three decades. Watching him in the role of angel that has just turned mortal initially, on the other hand, proved to be highly entertaining, due to something that really surprised me initially: It's an element different for the actor. Or perhaps to be precise, something from the past.

Early into his confusing experience being a human, clinging to Jeff (who Gabriel exchanged into Arj's hand-to-mouth existence and jobless situation), Gabriel starts hesitantly trying out human activities such as chewing and swallowing meals. And Reeves smiles. Genuinely, cautiously, happily beams. (It's far more convincing than his smile shown in the promotional image, that appears artificially added.)

The Reason This Grin Is Significant

The moment truly surprised me to recognize how unexpected and refreshing that smile felt. When did we last we saw the actor grin in a film where he was not showing ill will, irony, or bitterness? He likely tries a smile somewhere in the recent misbegotten the sequel, but I am not revisiting the mess to confirm. The actor has remained stuck with grim, violent, broody, or simply serious characters for so long that just watching Reeves grin seemed like seeing a completely different performer.

As the plot progresses, Gabriel ends up needing to take a dishwashing position, which doesn't pay enough to live on, and he starts chain-smoking out of frustration. Just the sight of the actor in a cheap plastic restaurant hat, with his late-career trademark locks tied in a plain ponytail, leaning on a building and puffing on a cigarette, proves worth watching. The dishwasher getup completely changes his face and body: Suddenly, the lean, suited physical powerhouse of his famous films is gawky, ordinary, and a lot increasingly relatable.

A Pleasure of Watching Keanu Relax

Good Fortune isn't always enjoyable to view, especially when Ansari (that also authored the screenplay) has to create plausible explanations for {Ar