Let Keanu Reeves Smile More: A Look at the Actor's Role in the New Film

Aziz Ansari's directorial debut, the fantasy comedy by comedian the director, has been facing challenges in theaters. Many reasons could explain its performance: Its uninspired title fails to convey the film's distinctive appeal. Its script is often preachy and heavy-handed regarding the messages. Its performances seem flat and staged, like the cast are reciting dialogue directly from a script. And, it arrives at a time of economic anxiety and disparity, which could make viewers not very open to a story that suggests rich individuals enjoy all the advantages while those in need possess spirit.

But, this is what Good Fortune stands out: It's original, bold, imaginative, frequently humorous, and certainly timely. Plus, it provides an unexpectedly enjoyable the actor character-driven movie.

Keanu Reeves as an Guardian: A Familiar Portrayal

I have never regarded Keanu Reeves a good performer. His flat speaking style and consistent look of slight concern have always felt limited, regardless of his broad variety of roles he's played over the past 40 of his career. Astute directors have placed him in parts in which his stoic nature fits ideally, from My Own Private Idaho to The Matrix to John Wick. But almost all of these roles called for Reeves to appear hardened, distant, or detached.

Throughout the film, the actor portrays Gabriel, a minor protecting celestial being tasked with watching over individuals that use their phones when behind the wheel. His entire job involves remaining in his vehicles and lightly making contact with the drivers' arms when they're about to have an accident, warning the person so the driver stop before impact. However, while positioned overlooking his domain, looking down upon the mortal world like an alternative version of the angel from Wim Wenders' classic movie Wings of Desire, the character gets aspirational. Gabriel wants to be a great protector and rescuer of lost souls.

The Surprising Shift: Keanu as a Human

Therefore, he reveals his presence to struggling odd-jobber a character (portrayed by the director), who's residing in a vehicle and resenting his situation. Gabriel then exchanges Arj with the existence of stupidly wealthy tech mogul a character (acted by Seth Rogen). The idea behind the experiment is that Arj to realize the wealthy man's existence has major downsides, and thankfully return to his original life, similar to the character from It's a Wonderful Life.

Problem was, the character right away realizes that Jeff's problems (boring meetings, a pricey pool-heater invoice) prove minor and readily solved with wealth. Arj further sees that becoming rich provides limitless opportunities for self-indulgent fun. He shows no desire in going back to his own situation, and the angel is unable to compel Arj to go back. Then, more trouble comes: For overstepping his duties and messing with the order of existence, the character is fired as an celestial job, and turned to a mortal.

The Discovery: The Actor Grins

Personally, I remained never persuaded by the actor playing an celestial being with big aspirations and an intense wish to make a difference. He delivers a familiar somewhat stiff performance he's been offering for no less than the last 3 ten-year periods. Watching Reeves in the role of angel that has just turned mortal initially, however, proved to be a blast, for a reason that truly surprised viewers at first: It's an element different for the actor. Or perhaps more accurately, an aspect from the past.

Early during the character's baffling experience as a human, clinging to Jeff (whom Gabriel had swapped with Arj's hand-to-mouth existence and jobless status), the character starts hesitantly experimenting with human experiences such as chewing and swallowing meals. And Reeves smiles. Genuinely, hesitantly, happily smiles. (It's a lot more convincing than his smile on the poster, which appears digitally altered.)

The Reason That Grin Matters

It really took me aback to realize how surprising and welcome that smile felt. When did we last audiences saw Keanu Reeves grin in a movie in which he wasn't expressing malice, sarcasm, or bitterness? The actor likely attempts a smile at some point in the recent misbegotten the sequel, but I am not revisiting the disappointment to confirm. Reeves has remained typecast with serious, murderous, broody, or simply solemn roles for so long that merely watching him grin felt like observing a completely different actor.

As the plot progresses, Gabriel ends up having to take a kitchen position, which fails to provide enough to live on, and he starts smoking heavily out of frustration. Simply the sight of Reeves in a cheap plastic restaurant cap, his late-career trademark locks tied in an unglamorous ponytail, leaning against a wall and puffing on a cigarette, proves worthy of watching. His dishwasher getup completely alters his face and posture: Unexpectedly, the lean, suited action star of his famous films becomes gawky, unglamorous, and much more human.

The Joy of Viewing Keanu Relax

Good Fortune isn't consistently fun to watch, particularly when Ansari (that also wrote the script) must find believable reasons for {Ar