Let Keanu Reeves Smile More: A Look at His Role in Good Fortune

Aziz Ansari's directorial debut, this whimsical comedy from actor Aziz Ansari, is struggling in theaters. Many factors may explain its performance: The uninspired name fails to convey its movie's unique charm. The screenplay can be preachy and heavy-handed regarding the messages. The acting seem flat and staged, as if the cast were reading dialogue directly from the page. Moreover, the film comes during an era of economic uncertainty and inequality, which could make viewers less receptive to a story which suggests wealthy individuals have all the advantages while the poor possess heart.

But, this is where the movie stands out: The film is original, daring, imaginative, frequently humorous, and certainly relevant. Plus, it provides a enjoyable Keanu Reeves character-driven movie.

Reeves as an Guardian: A Familiar Portrayal

I have not considered Reeves a strong performer. His monotonal speaking style and consistent look of mild perturbation have always felt one-note, despite the broad variety of characters he has played during the past four decades years. Astute filmmakers have cast him in roles in which that rigidity works ideally, including My Own Private Idaho to the sci-fi classic to John Wick. But nearly every one of those roles called for him to seem tough, closed-off, and removed.

Throughout the film, the actor portrays Gabriel, a low-level guardian angel assigned with looking after people that text while behind the wheel. His whole job involves remaining in his vehicles and gently touching their arms when they are close to have an accident, alerting the person so they brake before impact. But, when standing overlooking his domain, looking down upon humanity similar to an alternative interpretation of a celestial figure in the director's renowned movie Wings of Desire, Gabriel gets aspirational. Gabriel wants to become a great protector and a savior of wayward souls.

The Unexpected Shift: Reeves as a Mortal

So, he reveals himself to struggling handyman a character (portrayed by Aziz Ansari), who is living in his car and cursing his life. Gabriel proceeds to exchanges Arj with the existence of extremely rich businessman Jeff (played by Seth Rogen). The point of the exercise is for the character to understand the wealthy man's existence has significant drawbacks, and gratefully go back to his original circumstances, much like the figure from It's a Wonderful Life.

Issue is, Arj immediately realizes that Jeff's problems (tedious appointments, expensive pool-heater bill) prove minor and readily resolved with wealth. Arj further sees that becoming rich opens up endless chances for self-indulgent fun. The character shows zero interest in going back to his previous life, and Gabriel can't force him to go back. Then, more trouble comes: Because of exceeding his duties and messing with the balance of existence, the character is fired as an angel role, and transformed to a mortal.

A Discovery: Keanu Reeves Grins

Personally, I remained not persuaded by Reeves as an angel who has grand aspirations and an intense wish to make a difference. He delivers a familiar vaguely stiff performance he has been offering for at least the last 3 decades. Viewing Reeves in the role of celestial being who's recently become human initially, on the other hand, was a blast, due to something that truly astonished me initially: It's an element different for the actor. Or perhaps to be precise, an aspect old.

Soon during his baffling experience being a mortal, clinging to the wealthy character (who Gabriel had swapped with Arj's hand-to-mouth life and underemployed status), the character begins tentatively trying out human activities like chewing and consuming food. Then Reeves smiles. Genuinely, cautiously, joyously beams. (It's a lot more believable than his smile on the poster, that appears artificially added.)

The Reason That Grin Is Significant

It truly surprised me to recognize just how surprising and welcome that expression was. When did we last audiences observed Keanu Reeves smile in a film where he wasn't showing malice, irony, or bitterness? He likely attempts it somewhere in the recent misbegotten the sequel, but I am not going to revisiting the mess to confirm. Reeves has remained stuck with serious, murderous, introspective, or simply serious characters for so long that merely seeing him smile seemed like observing an entirely new actor.

As the plot progresses, the character ends up having to get a kitchen position, a role that doesn't pay sufficient to live on, and Gabriel begins chain-smoking out of frustration. Simply the image of Reeves in a disposable plastic restaurant hat, with his recent signature locks pulled back in an unglamorous ponytail, leaning against a wall and puffing on a cigarette, is worth watching. His dishwasher getup completely alters his face and body: Unexpectedly, the lean, well-dressed action star of his famous movies is gawky, ordinary, and a lot more human.

The Joy of Watching Reeves Relax

Good Fortune isn't consistently enjoyable to watch, particularly when Ansari (that additionally authored the screenplay) must create plausible explanations for {Ar