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Good Fortune, this fantasy comedy from actor Aziz Ansari, has been facing challenges in theaters. Several reasons may explain the film's performance: The generic name fails to convey its movie's distinctive charm. The screenplay can be preachy and obvious regarding the messages. Its acting are uninspired and presentational, as if the cast were reciting lines directly from a script. And, it arrives at a time of financial uncertainty and inequality, that could render viewers less receptive to a narrative which implies rich people have all the benefits while those in need possess heart.

But, here's where Good Fortune excels: It's original, daring, imaginative, frequently funny, and certainly relevant. Plus, it provides an unexpectedly enjoyable the actor hangout experience.

Keanu Reeves as an Guardian: A Familiar Portrayal

Personally, I've never considered Keanu Reeves a good actor. His monotonal delivery and persistent look of slight perturbation have always seemed limited, regardless of his wide range of roles he has taken on over the last four decades years. Smart directors have placed Reeves in parts where that rigidity works perfectly, including his early work to The Matrix to the action series. But nearly every one of these roles required him to appear hardened, closed-off, and detached.

In the film, the actor portrays Gabriel, one low-level protecting celestial being assigned with looking after individuals who use their phones when driving. The character's whole duty involves sitting in his vehicles and lightly touching the drivers' shoulders as they're about to crash, warning them in order that the driver brake in time. However, while standing high above his domain, gazing on the mortal world similar to an alternative interpretation of a celestial figure from Wim Wenders' classic film Wings of Desire, Gabriel becomes aspirational. He wants to become a great protector and rescuer of lost souls.

A Surprising Shift: Reeves Playing a Mortal

Therefore, Gabriel reveals his presence to down-and-out odd-jobber a character (portrayed by the director), who's living in his car and cursing his situation. Gabriel proceeds to swaps the man with the existence of stupidly rich tech mogul a character (acted by Seth Rogen). The idea behind the exercise is that the character would realize the wealthy man's existence comes with significant drawbacks, and thankfully return to his own circumstances, much like a figure in the classic film.

Problem was, Arj immediately discovers that Jeff's issues (boring appointments, expensive heating bill) are negligible and easily resolved with wealth. He further realizes that becoming rich opens up limitless opportunities for pleasurable fun. He has no interest in returning to his previous life, and Gabriel is unable to compel Arj to go back. Subsequently, additional trouble comes: For exceeding his mandate and disrupting the balance of the world, the character is fired from his angel role, and turned into a human being.

A Discovery: Keanu Reeves Grins

Personally, I remained never persuaded by the actor as an celestial being with grand aspirations and a burning desire to effect change. Reeves delivers a familiar somewhat stiff acting he's been providing for no less than the past three decades. Viewing Reeves in the role of celestial being who's just become human initially, on the other hand, was highly entertaining, due to something which really astonished viewers at first: It's something new for the actor. Or perhaps more accurately, an aspect old.

Early during his confusing career as a mortal, staying with Jeff (who the angel exchanged with the handyman's precarious existence and underemployed situation), the character starts hesitantly experimenting with everyday activities like chewing and swallowing food. And Reeves grins. Authentically, cautiously, joyously smiles. (It's far more convincing than the smile on the poster, that appears digitally altered.)

The Reason That Grin Matters

It truly surprised me to realize just how surprising and welcome the smile was. At what point did we last audiences saw Keanu Reeves grin in a movie where he was not showing ill will, irony, or resentment? The actor probably attempts a smile somewhere in the recent ill-conceived the sequel, but I am not going to revisiting that mess to confirm. The actor has been typecast with grim, murderous, introspective, or simply solemn characters for so long that just seeing Reeves smile seemed like observing an entirely new actor.

While the story goes on, the character finds himself having to take a dishwashing position, which fails to provide enough to live on, and Gabriel starts chain-smoking due to frustration. Simply the sight of the actor in a disposable plastic restaurant hat, with his recent trademark long hair pulled back in an unglamorous bun, leaning on a wall and smoking a smoke, is worthy of watching. His dishwasher attire totally changes his appearance and body: Unexpectedly, the lean, well-dressed physical powerhouse of his famous films is gawky, unglamorous, and a lot increasingly human.

The Joy of Viewing Reeves Relax

Good Fortune is not always fun to view, especially when the director (who also authored the screenplay) has to find plausible reasons for {Ar