🔗 Share this article

Good Fortune, the whimsical comedy by comedian Aziz Ansari, is struggling at the box office. Many reasons could account for its performance: Its generic name doesn't express its film's distinctive appeal. The screenplay can be preachy and obvious with the themes. The acting seem uninspired and staged, like the cast are reciting lines directly from the page. And, it arrives during an era marked by economic anxiety and disparity, which may render viewers not very receptive to a narrative which implies wealthy people enjoy all the benefits while those in need have heart.

But, here's where Good Fortune excels: The film is original, bold, imaginative, frequently humorous, and undoubtedly relevant. And, it provides a enjoyable Keanu Reeves character-driven movie.

Keanu Reeves in the role of Guardian: A Familiar Performance

I have not considered Reeves a strong actor. His monotonal speaking style and consistent look of slight perturbation have consistently felt one-note, regardless of his broad range of roles he has taken on during the past four decades of his career. Smart filmmakers have often placed Reeves in roles where his stoic nature works perfectly, from his early work to the sci-fi classic to John Wick. But almost all of these roles called for him to seem tough, distant, and detached.

In the film, the actor portrays an angel, a minor protecting angel tasked with watching over people that text while behind the wheel. The character's whole duty involves sitting in his cars and lightly touching the drivers' arms as they're close to crash, warning them in order that the driver brake in time. However, while positioned high above the city, looking down upon the mortal world similar to a version of the angel in the director's renowned movie Wings of Desire, Gabriel gets aspirational. He desires to become an exceptional protector and rescuer of wayward individuals.

The Unexpected Turn: Keanu as a Human

Therefore, Gabriel presents himself to down-and-out odd-jobber a character (portrayed by Aziz Ansari), who is residing out of a vehicle and resenting his life. Gabriel proceeds to exchanges the man into the existence of stupidly rich businessman a character (played by Seth Rogen). The point behind the experiment is that Arj to realize Jeff's life has significant downsides, and gratefully go back to his own life, much like the figure in It's a Wonderful Life.

Problem was, Arj immediately discovers that the mogul's problems (tedious appointments, expensive heating invoice) prove negligible and readily resolved with money. He further sees how being rich provides limitless opportunities for pleasurable fun. He has no interest in returning to his previous situation, and Gabriel can't compel Arj to go back. Subsequently, additional trouble comes: Because of exceeding his mandate and disrupting the order of existence, the character is fired as an angel role, and turned to a human being.

A Discovery: Keanu Reeves Grins

Personally, I remained never convinced by the actor as an angel who has grand aspirations and a burning desire to make a difference. Reeves turns in a familiar somewhat stiff performance he has consistently offering for at least the last 3 decades. Watching Reeves as an angel who's recently become mortal for the first time, on the other hand, was a blast, for a reason which truly surprised viewers initially: This is something new for Reeves. Or more accurately, something from the past.

Soon during the character's baffling experience as a human, staying with Jeff (who Gabriel had swapped into the handyman's precarious existence and underemployed situation), Gabriel begins hesitantly trying out everyday experiences such as chewing and swallowing food. Then the actor grins. Authentically, cautiously, happily smiles. (This is far more believable than the smile shown in the promotional image, which looks artificially added.)

The Reason This Smile Is Significant

The moment really took me aback to recognize just how unexpected and refreshing the expression was. When was the last time audiences saw Keanu Reeves smile in a movie where he wasn't expressing ill will, sarcasm, or bitterness? The actor probably attempts it somewhere in 2020's misbegotten the sequel, but I'm not going to revisiting the disappointment to confirm. The actor has remained stuck with grim, murderous, broody, or simply solemn roles for so long that merely seeing Reeves grin seemed like seeing a completely new performer.

As the story progresses, the character finds himself having to take a kitchen job, a role that doesn't pay enough for survival, and he starts chain-smoking out of disappointment. Just the image of Reeves in a disposable paper restaurant cap, with his recent signature long hair tied in an unglamorous bun, slouching against a building and puffing on a smoke, is worthy of the price of admission. The kitchen worker attire completely alters his appearance and body: Unexpectedly, the slim, suited action star of the John Wick films is awkward, unglamorous, and a lot more human.

The Joy of Viewing Reeves Loosen Up

The film is not consistently fun to view, especially when Ansari (that also wrote the screenplay) must find believable reasons for {Ar