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Good Fortune, this fantasy comedy by comedian the director, has been struggling at the box office. Several reasons could explain the film's reception: The generic title fails to express its movie's unique charm. The script can be moralizing and heavy-handed with the messages. Its performances seem flat and presentational, like the actors are reading dialogue straight from the page. And, the film comes during an era of economic anxiety and disparity, that may make viewers not very open to a narrative which implies wealthy people enjoy all the benefits while those in need possess spirit.

However, this is where Good Fortune stands out: The film is original, bold, creative, often humorous, and undoubtedly relevant. And, it provides an unexpectedly enjoyable Keanu Reeves hangout experience.

Keanu Reeves in the role of Angel: His Typical Portrayal

Personally, I've not regarded Keanu Reeves a good actor. His monotonal delivery and consistent look of mild perturbation have consistently seemed one-note, regardless of the wide variety of characters he's taken on during the last four decades years. Smart filmmakers have cast him in parts where that stoic nature fits ideally, including My Own Private Idaho to The Matrix to the action series. But almost every one of those roles called for him to seem hardened, distant, and detached.

Throughout Good Fortune, the actor plays Gabriel, one low-level guardian angel tasked with looking after individuals who use their phones when behind the wheel. His entire job involves sitting in his vehicles and lightly touching the drivers' shoulders as they're close to have an accident, warning them so they stop in time. But, when standing overlooking the city, looking down upon humanity like an alternative interpretation of the angel from Wim Wenders' renowned movie Wings of Desire, the character gets aspirational. Gabriel desires to be an exceptional protector and rescuer of wayward souls.

A Surprising Turn: Keanu as a Mortal

Therefore, he presents himself to down-and-out handyman a character (portrayed by the director), who's residing in a vehicle and cursing his life. The angel proceeds to exchanges Arj with the life of stupidly rich businessman Jeff (played by the comedian). This idea of the exercise was that Arj to understand the wealthy man's life has major drawbacks, and gratefully return to his original circumstances, much like a figure from the classic film.

Problem is, the character immediately discovers how the mogul's problems (tedious appointments, expensive pool-heater bill) prove minor and readily solved with wealth. He further sees how becoming rich provides endless opportunities for self-indulgent enjoyment. The character has no desire in returning to his own life, and the angel can't compel him to go back. Subsequently, more trouble comes: Because of overstepping his mandate and messing with the balance of existence, Gabriel loses his position from his celestial job, and turned to a mortal.

A Revelation: The Actor Smiles

Personally, I remained not persuaded by Reeves as an celestial being who has big aspirations and an intense desire to make a difference. Reeves turns in the same somewhat stiff performance he has been providing for at least the last three decades. Watching him in the role of angel that has just become human for the first time, on the other hand, proved to be highly entertaining, due to something which truly surprised viewers initially: It's an element new for Reeves. Or more accurately, an aspect from the past.

Early into his baffling experience being a human, staying with Jeff (whom Gabriel exchanged into Arj's hand-to-mouth existence and underemployed situation), the character starts hesitantly trying out human experiences such as chewing and consuming food. And Reeves grins. Genuinely, hesitantly, joyously smiles. (This is a lot more convincing than the smile shown in the poster, that appears artificially added.)

Why This Smile Is Significant

It truly took me aback to recognize just how surprising and refreshing the smile was. When was the last time we saw the actor smile in a movie in which he was not expressing ill will, sarcasm, or resentment? He probably tries a smile somewhere in the recent misbegotten the sequel, but I am not returning to the mess to confirm. The actor has been stuck with serious, violent, broody, or just solemn roles for such a duration that merely watching Reeves smile felt like seeing a completely new actor.

As the plot goes on, Gabriel ends up needing to get a dishwashing job, a role that doesn't pay enough to live on, and Gabriel begins chain-smoking out of disappointment. Just the image of Reeves in a cheap plastic food-service hat, with his recent trademark long hair pulled back in a plain ponytail, slouching against a wall and puffing on a cigarette, proves worth the price of admission. His kitchen worker attire totally alters his face and body: Suddenly, the slim, suited action star of the John Wick films becomes gawky, ordinary, and much increasingly relatable.

The Pleasure of Viewing Keanu Loosen Up

Good Fortune is not consistently fun to watch, especially when Ansari (that additionally wrote the script) must create plausible explanations for {Ar