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Good Fortune, the whimsical comedy by actor the director, is struggling in theaters. Many factors could account for its performance: The generic title fails to express its movie's distinctive appeal. The script can be preachy and heavy-handed with the messages. The acting are flat and staged, like the actors were reading lines straight from the page. And, the film comes during an era of financial anxiety and inequality, which may render viewers less open to a story which suggests wealthy people enjoy every advantages while those in need possess spirit.

However, here's what Good Fortune excels: It's unique, bold, creative, often funny, and certainly relevant. Plus, it provides an unexpectedly great Keanu Reeves hangout experience.

Keanu Reeves as an Angel: A Familiar Portrayal

Personally, I've not considered Reeves a good actor. His flat speaking style and persistent look of slight perturbation have consistently seemed limited, despite his wide range of roles he's played during the past four decades years. Astute directors have cast him in roles in which his rigidity fits ideally, including My Own Private Idaho to the sci-fi classic to the action series. Yet nearly every one of these roles required Reeves to appear hardened, closed-off, or detached.

In the film, Reeves portrays Gabriel, a low-level guardian angel tasked with watching over people who text when driving. The character's entire job is sitting in their cars and gently touching the drivers' shoulders as they're close to have an accident, alerting them so they stop in time. But, while positioned high above the city, gazing upon the mortal world like a interpretation of a celestial figure in Wim Wenders' classic film the angel story, Gabriel becomes ambitious. Gabriel desires to be a great guardian and a savior of wayward souls.

The Surprising Shift: Reeves Playing a Mortal

So, he presents himself to down-and-out odd-jobber Arj (portrayed by the director), who's residing out of his car and resenting his situation. The angel then exchanges Arj into the existence of stupidly rich businessman a character (acted by Seth Rogen). The idea behind the exercise is for the character would understand the wealthy man's existence comes with major downsides, and thankfully go back to his own life, similar to a figure from It's a Wonderful Life.

Issue is, Arj immediately realizes how the mogul's problems (tedious appointments, expensive heating invoice) are minor and readily resolved using wealth. He further realizes that becoming rich opens up limitless chances for self-indulgent fun. The character has no interest in going back to his previous situation, and the angel is unable to compel Arj to go back. Subsequently, additional trouble comes: For overstepping his duties and messing with the order of the world, Gabriel is fired as an angel job, and transformed into a mortal.

A Discovery: Keanu Reeves Grins

I was never persuaded by the actor playing an celestial being with grand aspirations and a burning desire to make a difference. Reeves delivers a familiar somewhat constipated performance he has consistently providing for no less than the last three decades. Viewing him in the role of celestial being that has just turned human for the first time, on the other hand, was highly entertaining, due to something that truly surprised viewers initially: It's something new for the actor. Or perhaps to be precise, an aspect old.

Early into his confusing experience being a mortal, staying with Jeff (who the angel exchanged with Arj's precarious existence and underemployed situation), Gabriel starts tentatively experimenting with human activities such as chewing and swallowing meals. And Reeves grins. Authentically, cautiously, happily smiles. (This is far much believable than the grin on the promotional image, which appears digitally altered.)

Why This Grin Is Significant

It really took me aback to recognize just how surprising and refreshing that smile was. When was the last time audiences saw the actor grin in a film in which he was not expressing malice, irony, or resentment? He likely tries it at some point in the recent misbegotten the sequel, but I'm not going to returning to that mess to confirm. The actor has been stuck with grim, murderous, introspective, or just solemn characters for so long that just seeing him smile seemed like observing a completely different performer.

While the plot goes on, Gabriel finds himself needing to get a kitchen job, which doesn't pay sufficient for survival, and he starts chain-smoking out of frustration. Simply the image of Reeves in a cheap plastic food-service cap, with his late-career trademark locks pulled back in a plain bun, leaning against a wall and puffing on a cigarette, proves worth the price of admission. His dishwasher getup completely alters his appearance and posture: Unexpectedly, the lean, well-dressed action star of the John Wick movies is awkward, unglamorous, and a lot more relatable.

A Joy of Viewing Reeves Relax

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