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Aziz Ansari's directorial debut, this whimsical film by actor Aziz Ansari, has been struggling at the box office. Several factors could account for the film's reception: Its generic title doesn't express the movie's distinctive appeal. The script is often moralizing and heavy-handed with the themes. The performances seem uninspired and presentational, like the actors are reading lines straight from a script. And, it arrives during an era of economic uncertainty and disparity, which could make audiences less receptive to a narrative that suggests wealthy individuals have all the benefits while the poor have spirit.

But, here's where Good Fortune excels: The film is unique, bold, imaginative, frequently funny, and undoubtedly timely. And, it offers a enjoyable the actor hangout experience.

Reeves as an Angel: His Typical Portrayal

I have not regarded Reeves to be a strong performer. The actor's monotonal delivery and persistent expression of mild perturbation has consistently seemed limited, despite his wide range of characters he has taken on during the past 40 of his career. Astute directors have cast Reeves in roles where his stoic nature fits ideally, from My Own Private Idaho to the sci-fi classic to the action series. But nearly all of those roles required Reeves to appear tough, distant, or detached.

In the film, Reeves plays an angel, a low-level guardian celestial being assigned with looking after people who text when behind the wheel. His entire job involves remaining in his cars and gently making contact with the drivers' shoulders when they're close to have an accident, warning them so the driver stop before impact. But, when standing overlooking his domain, looking down on humanity similar to a version of a celestial figure in Wim Wenders' classic film Wings of Desire, the character becomes aspirational. Gabriel wants to be an exceptional protector and a savior of wayward souls.

A Surprising Shift: Keanu Playing a Human

Therefore, he presents his presence to down-and-out odd-jobber Arj (portrayed by Aziz Ansari), who's living out of a vehicle and cursing his situation. Gabriel proceeds to swaps the man with the life of stupidly wealthy tech mogul a character (played by Seth Rogen). This idea of the experiment was for the character would understand the wealthy man's life comes with significant downsides, and thankfully go back to his original life, similar to the character from It's a Wonderful Life.

Issue is, Arj right away discovers that the mogul's problems (boring appointments, expensive pool-heater invoice) prove negligible and easily resolved using money. Arj also realizes that being rich opens up endless opportunities for self-indulgent fun. The character has zero desire in returning to his previous life, and Gabriel can't compel Arj to go back. Subsequently, more trouble comes: For exceeding his mandate and disrupting the order of the world, the character is fired from his angel role, and transformed to a mortal.

A Revelation: Keanu Reeves Grins

Personally, I remained never convinced by Reeves as an celestial being with grand dreams and an intense desire to effect change. Reeves turns in a familiar vaguely stiff acting he's consistently providing for no less than the last three ten-year periods. Watching Reeves in the role of celestial being that has just turned human initially, on the other hand, was a blast, due to something that truly surprised viewers at first: It's an element different for the actor. Or more accurately, something from the past.

Early into his baffling experience as a mortal, staying with the wealthy character (whom Gabriel had swapped into Arj's hand-to-mouth life and jobless status), the character starts tentatively experimenting with human experiences like chewing and consuming food. Then Reeves smiles. Authentically, hesitantly, happily smiles. (It's a lot more convincing than his grin shown in the promotional image, which appears digitally altered.)

The Reason This Grin Is Significant

It really surprised me to recognize just how surprising and welcome the expression was. At what point was the last time we observed the actor smile in a film in which he was not showing malice, irony, or resentment? He likely attempts a smile somewhere in 2020's misbegotten Bill & Ted Face the Music, however I'm not returning to that mess to confirm. Reeves has remained typecast with grim, violent, broody, or simply solemn characters for such a duration that just watching Reeves smile felt like seeing an entirely new actor.

As the plot goes on, the character finds himself having to take a dishwashing position, a role that doesn't pay enough to live on, and Gabriel starts smoking heavily due to disappointment. Just the sight of Reeves in a cheap paper food-service hat, with his recent trademark long hair tied in a plain bun, slouching against a wall and puffing on a smoke, proves worth the price of admission. His kitchen worker getup completely alters his face and posture: Unexpectedly, the slim, suited action star of the John Wick films is gawky, unglamorous, and much more relatable.

The Pleasure of Viewing Reeves Loosen Up

The film is not consistently fun to view, especially when Ansari (that also authored the screenplay) must create believable explanations for {Ar