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Good Fortune, the fantasy comedy by actor Aziz Ansari, is struggling at the box office. Several factors could explain the film's performance: Its generic name doesn't express the film's distinctive appeal. The screenplay is often preachy and heavy-handed with its messages. Its performances seem uninspired and staged, like the cast were reciting lines directly from the page. Moreover, it arrives during an era of financial anxiety and inequality, which could make audiences less open to a story that implies wealthy people enjoy all the benefits while those in need possess spirit.

However, this is what the movie stands out: The film is unique, bold, imaginative, often humorous, and certainly timely. And, it offers an unexpectedly great the actor character-driven experience.

Keanu Reeves as an Guardian: His Typical Portrayal

Personally, I've never considered Reeves a good actor. The actor's flat speaking style and consistent look of mild perturbation have consistently seemed limited, despite the wide range of roles he's played over the last 40 years. Astute filmmakers have cast Reeves in parts in which his rigidity fits ideally, including his early work to The Matrix to the action series. Yet nearly all of these roles required him to appear tough, closed-off, or removed.

Throughout Good Fortune, the actor portrays Gabriel, one low-level protecting angel tasked with looking after individuals who text when behind the wheel. His whole duty involves remaining in his vehicles and lightly making contact with their arms when they're about to crash, warning the person so they stop before impact. However, when positioned high above his domain, looking down on humanity similar to a interpretation of the angel in the director's classic movie Wings of Desire, the character becomes aspirational. Gabriel desires to be an exceptional protector and a savior of wayward souls.

The Surprising Turn: Keanu Playing a Human

Therefore, Gabriel reveals himself to struggling handyman Arj (played by Aziz Ansari), who is residing in his car and resenting his life. Gabriel proceeds to exchanges the man into the existence of stupidly wealthy businessman Jeff (acted by Seth Rogen). The idea behind the experiment was for Arj to realize Jeff's existence comes with significant downsides, and gratefully return to his own life, much like a character in It's a Wonderful Life.

Issue is, the character right away discovers how the mogul's issues (tedious meetings, expensive pool-heater bill) prove minor and readily solved with wealth. Arj further sees how being affluent provides limitless opportunities for self-indulgent enjoyment. The character shows zero desire in returning to his own situation, and Gabriel can't force him to return. Then, more bad news comes: Because of overstepping his mandate and messing with the balance of the world, the character is fired from his celestial role, and turned into a human being.

The Revelation: Keanu Reeves Smiles

Personally, I remained never convinced by Reeves as an angel with grand aspirations and an intense wish to effect change. Reeves turns in a familiar somewhat stiff acting he has been providing for no less than the last 3 decades. Watching him in the role of celestial being that has recently become human initially, however, was highly entertaining, due to something which really surprised viewers initially: This is an element new for the actor. Or more accurately, something from the past.

Early into his confusing experience being a human, clinging to Jeff (whom the angel had swapped into the handyman's precarious life and jobless status), the character starts hesitantly trying out everyday activities such as eating and swallowing food. And Reeves smiles. Genuinely, cautiously, joyously smiles. (This is far much convincing than the grin shown in the promotional image, which looks artificially added.)

Why This Grin Is Significant

The moment truly took me aback to recognize how unexpected and refreshing the smile was. At what point was the last time we observed Keanu Reeves smile in a movie where he was not showing malice, sarcasm, or bitterness? The actor likely tries it at some point in 2020's misbegotten Bill & Ted Face the Music, but I am not returning to that disappointment to confirm. Reeves has been stuck with serious, murderous, introspective, or just serious characters for so long that merely watching him smile felt like seeing an entirely different performer.

As the plot goes on, the character finds himself needing to get a dishwashing position, which fails to provide sufficient for survival, and he starts chain-smoking due to frustration. Just the image of Reeves in a disposable plastic restaurant hat, his recent signature long hair tied in a plain ponytail, leaning against a wall and puffing on a smoke, proves worth watching. His dishwasher getup completely changes his face and posture: Unexpectedly, the lean, suited physical powerhouse of his famous films becomes awkward, ordinary, and a lot more human.

The Joy of Watching Keanu Relax

Good Fortune is not always fun to watch, particularly when the director (who also authored the screenplay) has to find believable reasons for {Ar