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Good Fortune, the whimsical film by comedian the director, is struggling at the box office. Many factors could account for the film's reception: The generic title doesn't convey the movie's distinctive charm. Its script can be moralizing and heavy-handed with the messages. The acting seem flat and staged, as if the cast are reading dialogue straight from a script. And, it arrives during an era marked by economic anxiety and inequality, that could render viewers less open to a narrative that implies wealthy individuals have every advantages while those in need have spirit.

However, this is what the movie excels: The film is unique, daring, creative, frequently funny, and certainly relevant. And, it offers an unexpectedly enjoyable the actor hangout movie.

Keanu Reeves in the role of Guardian: His Typical Portrayal

I have not regarded Keanu Reeves a good performer. The actor's flat delivery and consistent expression of mild concern has always felt one-note, despite his wide range of roles he has played over the last four decades years. Smart directors have often cast him in roles where his stoic nature works perfectly, from his early work to The Matrix to the action series. But almost every one of those roles called for him to appear hardened, closed-off, or detached.

Throughout Good Fortune, the actor portrays Gabriel, a low-level protecting angel assigned with watching over individuals that use their phones while behind the wheel. His entire job is sitting in their cars and lightly touching the drivers' arms as they are close to have an accident, warning them so the driver brake before impact. But, when positioned overlooking the city, looking down on humanity similar to an alternative interpretation of a celestial figure from the director's renowned film the angel story, the character becomes aspirational. Gabriel wants to be an exceptional guardian and rescuer of lost individuals.

The Unexpected Shift: Reeves as a Mortal

Therefore, Gabriel presents himself to struggling odd-jobber a character (played by the director), who's residing out of his car and resenting his life. The angel then swaps Arj into the life of extremely rich tech mogul Jeff (acted by the comedian). The point of the experiment is for the character would understand Jeff's life comes with major downsides, and gratefully return to his original life, similar to the character from the classic film.

Problem was, the character immediately discovers how Jeff's issues (boring meetings, a pricey heating invoice) prove minor and easily resolved with money. Arj also sees that being affluent opens up endless chances for self-indulgent fun. The character shows zero interest in returning to his previous life, and Gabriel can't compel him to return. Subsequently, additional bad news arrives: For exceeding his duties and messing with the order of existence, Gabriel is fired as an angel role, and turned into a human being.

A Discovery: Keanu Reeves Grins

I was never convinced by Reeves playing an celestial being who has big dreams and a burning desire to make a difference. He turns in a familiar somewhat stiff acting he has been offering for no less than the past three ten-year periods. Watching him in the role of angel that has recently become mortal for the first time, however, proved to be a blast, for a reason that really astonished viewers initially: It's an element different for the actor. Or to be precise, something from the past.

Early during the character's confusing career as a human, clinging to the wealthy character (who the angel exchanged into the handyman's precarious existence and jobless situation), Gabriel starts hesitantly experimenting with everyday experiences like chewing and swallowing meals. Then Reeves smiles. Authentically, hesitantly, joyously beams. (It's a lot much believable than his grin on the poster, that looks artificially added.)

Why This Grin Is Significant

The moment truly surprised me to realize how unexpected and refreshing the expression felt. When did we last audiences observed Keanu Reeves grin in a movie in which he was not expressing malice, sarcasm, or bitterness? He probably tries it at some point in 2020's misbegotten Bill & Ted Face the Music, however I am not returning to the mess to confirm. Reeves has remained typecast with serious, violent, broody, or just solemn characters for so long that merely seeing Reeves smile seemed like observing a completely new performer.

As the plot goes on, the character ends up needing to take a dishwashing position, a role that fails to provide sufficient for survival, and he starts smoking heavily out of frustration. Simply the sight of Reeves in a cheap paper food-service hat, with his recent trademark locks pulled back in a plain ponytail, leaning on a wall and puffing on a cigarette, proves worth watching. The kitchen worker getup totally changes his face and body: Suddenly, the lean, suited physical powerhouse of the John Wick films is gawky, ordinary, and a lot increasingly human.

A Pleasure of Viewing Reeves Relax

Good Fortune is not consistently enjoyable to watch, especially when the director (that also authored the screenplay) must create believable reasons for {Ar