Allow the actor Smile More: A Look at the Actor's Role in the New Film

Good Fortune, this whimsical comedy from comedian Aziz Ansari, is facing challenges in theaters. Several factors may account for its reception: Its generic name doesn't convey the movie's unique charm. The screenplay can be moralizing and obvious with the themes. The performances seem uninspired and staged, like the actors were reciting lines directly from a script. And, it arrives at a time marked by financial uncertainty and disparity, that could make viewers less open to a story that suggests rich individuals enjoy all the advantages while the poor possess spirit.

However, here's what Good Fortune excels: The film is original, daring, creative, often funny, and certainly timely. And, it provides a enjoyable Keanu Reeves character-driven experience.

Reeves in the role of Guardian: His Typical Performance

I have not regarded Reeves a good actor. His monotonal speaking style and consistent look of slight perturbation has always seemed limited, despite the broad range of characters he's taken on over the last four decades years. Astute filmmakers have often placed Reeves in parts in which that rigidity works perfectly, from his early work to The Matrix to the action series. Yet almost every one of those roles called for him to appear tough, distant, and detached.

Throughout Good Fortune, the actor portrays Gabriel, a low-level guardian celestial being tasked with watching over individuals who use their phones while driving. His entire duty is remaining in his vehicles and gently touching the drivers' shoulders as they're about to have an accident, alerting the person in order that the driver stop before impact. But, while positioned overlooking his domain, gazing upon the mortal world like an alternative interpretation of the angel in Wim Wenders' renowned film Wings of Desire, Gabriel becomes ambitious. He wants to be a great guardian and a savior of lost individuals.

The Unexpected Turn: Reeves as a Human

Therefore, he presents himself to down-and-out odd-jobber Arj (portrayed by Aziz Ansari), who is residing out of a vehicle and cursing his life. The angel then swaps the man into the existence of stupidly rich tech mogul Jeff (acted by the comedian). The idea behind the experiment was for Arj would realize Jeff's existence comes with significant drawbacks, and gratefully return to his original circumstances, similar to the figure in It's a Wonderful Life.

Issue is, the character right away realizes that Jeff's issues (tedious appointments, expensive heating bill) are negligible and readily solved with money. Arj also sees how being rich opens up endless chances for pleasurable enjoyment. The character has no interest in returning to his own life, and Gabriel is unable to compel Arj to go back. Then, additional trouble arrives: For exceeding his duties and messing with the order of the world, Gabriel loses his position as an angel job, and turned into a mortal.

The Revelation: Keanu Reeves Smiles

Personally, I remained never persuaded by the actor as an angel who has big aspirations and an intense wish to make a difference. He delivers a familiar somewhat stiff performance he's consistently offering for at least the past three decades. Viewing him as an angel who's just turned human for the first time, on the other hand, proved to be highly entertaining, due to something which really astonished me initially: It's an element different for the actor. Or perhaps more accurately, an aspect from the past.

Early during his confusing career as a human, staying with the wealthy character (whom the angel had swapped into Arj's precarious existence and underemployed status), the character begins tentatively experimenting with everyday activities such as eating and swallowing meals. And the actor smiles. Genuinely, hesitantly, happily beams. (This is far more believable than his grin on the promotional image, that looks artificially added.)

Why This Grin Is Significant

The moment truly took me aback to realize how unexpected and welcome the expression was. At what point was the last time audiences saw Keanu Reeves smile in a film in which he wasn't expressing malice, sarcasm, or bitterness? He likely attempts a smile somewhere in the recent ill-conceived the sequel, but I am not returning to that disappointment to confirm. Reeves has been typecast with grim, violent, broody, or simply serious characters for such a duration that merely seeing Reeves grin felt like observing an entirely different actor.

As the plot goes on, Gabriel finds himself needing to take a dishwashing job, which doesn't pay enough to live on, and he begins chain-smoking out of frustration. Just the sight of Reeves in a disposable plastic food-service cap, with his recent trademark locks tied in an unglamorous bun, slouching on a wall and puffing on a cigarette, is worthy of the price of admission. The dishwasher getup completely alters his face and body: Unexpectedly, the slim, well-dressed physical powerhouse of the John Wick movies is gawky, ordinary, and much more relatable.

The Joy of Watching Keanu Relax

Good Fortune is not always enjoyable to watch, especially when Ansari (who additionally authored the screenplay) must create plausible explanations for {Ar