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Aziz Ansari's directorial debut, the fantasy comedy from actor Aziz Ansari, has been struggling in theaters. Several factors could account for its reception: The generic title doesn't express its film's distinctive appeal. The script can be moralizing and heavy-handed regarding the themes. The acting are flat and staged, as if the cast were reading dialogue directly from the page. Moreover, it arrives during an era of economic anxiety and disparity, that could render audiences not very open to a narrative which implies wealthy people have all the benefits while those in need have spirit.

But, here's what the movie excels: It's unique, daring, creative, often funny, and undoubtedly timely. And, it offers a great Keanu Reeves character-driven movie.

Reeves as an Guardian: His Typical Performance

Personally, I've not regarded Reeves to be a strong performer. The actor's flat speaking style and persistent expression of slight concern has always seemed limited, despite his wide variety of roles he has taken on during the last four decades years. Smart directors have placed Reeves in roles in which his stoic nature fits ideally, including his early work to The Matrix to the action series. But almost all of those characters required Reeves to seem tough, closed-off, and detached.

In Good Fortune, Reeves portrays an angel, one minor guardian celestial being assigned with watching over individuals that use their phones while behind the wheel. The character's entire job involves remaining in his vehicles and lightly making contact with the drivers' arms when they are about to have an accident, warning them in order that they stop in time. However, while positioned high above the city, gazing upon the mortal world like an alternative interpretation of the angel from the director's classic film Wings of Desire, Gabriel gets aspirational. Gabriel wants to become an exceptional guardian and a savior of wayward individuals.

The Surprising Turn: Reeves Playing a Human

So, Gabriel reveals his presence to down-and-out handyman Arj (played by the director), who's residing in a vehicle and resenting his life. The angel then swaps the man with the existence of stupidly rich businessman a character (acted by Seth Rogen). The point of the exercise was for Arj to realize Jeff's life has significant drawbacks, and gratefully go back to his original circumstances, much like a character in the classic film.

Problem was, Arj immediately discovers how the mogul's issues (tedious meetings, a pricey heating bill) prove minor and easily solved with money. He further realizes that becoming rich opens up endless chances for self-indulgent fun. The character shows no desire in going back to his previous life, and the angel is unable to compel Arj to return. Subsequently, additional bad news arrives: Because of overstepping his mandate and messing with the balance of existence, Gabriel is fired from his celestial role, and transformed to a human being.

A Revelation: Keanu Reeves Smiles

I was not persuaded by the actor as an celestial being with grand dreams and a burning desire to make a difference. He turns in a familiar vaguely stiff performance he's consistently providing for at least the last three decades. Viewing him as an celestial being who's recently turned human for the first time, however, was highly entertaining, due to something which really surprised viewers at first: It's an element different for Reeves. Or perhaps more accurately, something from the past.

Early during the character's confusing career being a human, clinging to Jeff (who Gabriel had swapped with Arj's precarious life and underemployed situation), Gabriel begins tentatively trying out everyday experiences like chewing and consuming food. Then Reeves grins. Authentically, hesitantly, joyously smiles. (This is a lot much convincing than his grin shown in the poster, that appears artificially added.)

Why That Grin Is Significant

The moment really took me aback to realize just how unexpected and welcome that smile felt. When was the last time we saw Keanu Reeves smile in a movie in which he wasn't showing malice, sarcasm, or resentment? The actor likely tries a smile somewhere in 2020's ill-conceived Bill & Ted Face the Music, but I am not going to revisiting the mess to confirm. Reeves has remained stuck with grim, murderous, introspective, or simply solemn characters for so long that merely seeing Reeves smile seemed like seeing an entirely new actor.

While the plot progresses, the character finds himself needing to take a dishwashing job, a role that doesn't pay sufficient to live on, and Gabriel begins smoking heavily out of disappointment. Just the image of Reeves in a disposable plastic restaurant cap, his recent signature locks tied in a plain bun, leaning on a wall and smoking a cigarette, is worthy of watching. The dishwasher getup totally changes his appearance and posture: Unexpectedly, the slim, well-dressed action star of his famous movies becomes awkward, ordinary, and much increasingly relatable.

The Joy of Viewing Reeves Relax

The film is not always fun to view, especially when the director (that additionally wrote the screenplay) has to create plausible explanations for {Ar