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Good Fortune, this fantasy film by actor the director, has been struggling at the box office. Several factors could explain the film's reception: The uninspired name doesn't convey its movie's distinctive appeal. The screenplay is often preachy and obvious with its themes. Its acting seem uninspired and presentational, as if the actors are reading dialogue directly from a script. Moreover, the film comes at a time of economic anxiety and disparity, which may make viewers less receptive to a narrative which implies wealthy people enjoy all the benefits while those in need possess heart.

However, this is what the movie excels: The film is unique, bold, imaginative, frequently humorous, and undoubtedly relevant. And, it provides an unexpectedly great Keanu Reeves character-driven movie.

Keanu Reeves as an Angel: A Familiar Performance

I have never regarded Keanu Reeves to be a good performer. His monotonal speaking style and persistent expression of slight concern have always felt limited, despite the wide range of roles he has taken on during the past 40 years. Smart directors have placed him in parts in which his stoic nature fits ideally, from his early work to The Matrix to the action series. But almost every one of these characters called for Reeves to seem tough, closed-off, and detached.

In the film, the actor portrays an angel, a low-level protecting celestial being assigned with watching over individuals that use their phones when behind the wheel. His entire duty involves remaining in his cars and lightly making contact with their shoulders when they're close to have an accident, alerting the person so the driver stop in time. However, when standing high above the city, gazing on humanity like an alternative interpretation of the angel from Wim Wenders' renowned movie Wings of Desire, the character becomes ambitious. He wants to become an exceptional guardian and a savior of lost individuals.

The Unexpected Turn: Keanu Playing a Mortal

Therefore, Gabriel presents himself to down-and-out odd-jobber a character (portrayed by the director), who's residing in a vehicle and cursing his situation. The angel then swaps Arj into the existence of extremely wealthy tech mogul a character (played by Seth Rogen). The point of the experiment is for the character to realize Jeff's existence has significant drawbacks, and thankfully return to his original circumstances, similar to a figure from It's a Wonderful Life.

Problem is, Arj right away discovers how Jeff's issues (boring appointments, a pricey heating bill) are negligible and readily resolved using money. Arj also realizes that becoming rich opens up limitless opportunities for pleasurable fun. The character shows no interest in returning to his previous life, and the angel is unable to force him to return. Subsequently, additional trouble comes: For exceeding his duties and messing with the balance of the world, the character is fired as an celestial job, and transformed into a mortal.

The Revelation: Keanu Reeves Smiles

Personally, I remained never convinced by the actor as an celestial being who has grand dreams and an intense desire to make a difference. Reeves delivers the same vaguely constipated performance he has consistently providing for no less than the past three decades. Watching him in the role of celestial being who's recently become human initially, however, was highly entertaining, due to something which really surprised me at first: This is an element new for Reeves. Or more accurately, an aspect old.

Early during the character's confusing career as a human, staying with Jeff (whom Gabriel exchanged into the handyman's precarious life and jobless situation), Gabriel begins tentatively trying out human activities like chewing and consuming meals. Then Reeves grins. Authentically, cautiously, happily beams. (This is a lot more believable than the smile shown in the poster, that looks artificially added.)

The Reason That Smile Is Significant

It truly surprised me to realize just how unexpected and refreshing that smile felt. When did we last audiences observed the actor grin in a movie in which he was not showing ill will, irony, or resentment? He likely tries a smile at some point in the recent ill-conceived the sequel, but I am not revisiting the mess to confirm. Reeves has remained stuck with serious, murderous, broody, or just solemn roles for so long that just seeing him smile seemed like seeing an entirely different performer.

While the story goes on, Gabriel finds himself having to take a kitchen job, a role that doesn't pay sufficient to live on, and Gabriel starts chain-smoking due to disappointment. Simply the image of the actor in a disposable plastic restaurant cap, his late-career signature locks tied in an unglamorous ponytail, slouching against a wall and puffing on a cigarette, proves worth watching. His dishwasher attire completely alters his face and posture: Suddenly, the lean, well-dressed action star of the John Wick films is awkward, unglamorous, and much more relatable.

A Pleasure of Watching Keanu Relax

The film isn't consistently fun to view, especially when Ansari (that also wrote the screenplay) must create plausible explanations for {Ar