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Good Fortune, this whimsical comedy by actor the director, has been facing challenges in theaters. Several factors may account for its performance: The generic name doesn't express the film's distinctive charm. The script can be moralizing and heavy-handed with its themes. The acting are flat and staged, like the cast are reciting lines directly from the page. And, it arrives at a time marked by financial uncertainty and disparity, which could make viewers less receptive to a narrative which suggests rich people enjoy all the benefits while the poor have heart.

But, this is what the movie stands out: It's original, bold, creative, frequently humorous, and certainly timely. Plus, it offers an unexpectedly enjoyable the actor hangout movie.

Keanu Reeves as an Angel: His Typical Portrayal

Personally, I've not regarded Keanu Reeves a strong performer. The actor's monotonal delivery and consistent expression of slight perturbation have consistently seemed one-note, regardless of his broad range of roles he has played over the past 40 of his career. Astute filmmakers have often placed him in parts where his stoic nature works ideally, including My Own Private Idaho to the sci-fi classic to John Wick. Yet almost every one of these characters called for him to seem tough, distant, and detached.

Throughout Good Fortune, Reeves portrays Gabriel, one low-level guardian celestial being assigned with looking after people who text while driving. His whole job involves remaining in his cars and gently touching the drivers' arms when they are close to have an accident, warning the person so the driver stop before impact. But, while positioned high above his domain, gazing on the mortal world like a version of the angel in the director's renowned movie the angel story, the character becomes aspirational. He wants to be a great protector and a savior of wayward individuals.

The Surprising Shift: Reeves as a Mortal

Therefore, Gabriel reveals his presence to struggling odd-jobber a character (portrayed by the director), who's residing out of a vehicle and resenting his situation. Gabriel then exchanges Arj into the existence of extremely wealthy businessman a character (played by Seth Rogen). This idea behind the experiment is that the character to realize Jeff's existence comes with significant drawbacks, and gratefully go back to his original life, much like a figure in the classic film.

Problem is, Arj right away discovers how Jeff's problems (tedious appointments, a pricey pool-heater bill) are negligible and easily resolved with wealth. Arj further sees that being affluent opens up limitless chances for self-indulgent enjoyment. The character shows no desire in going back to his own life, and the angel is unable to force Arj to go back. Then, more trouble arrives: Because of exceeding his mandate and messing with the balance of the world, the character loses his position as an celestial job, and transformed to a mortal.

A Revelation: The Actor Grins

I was not persuaded by Reeves playing an celestial being with grand dreams and a burning wish to make a difference. Reeves turns in the same vaguely constipated performance he's been providing for no less than the last three decades. Viewing him as an angel who's just become mortal for the first time, however, proved to be a blast, due to something which really surprised me initially: It's an element new for Reeves. Or more accurately, something old.

Early during his confusing career being a human, clinging to Jeff (whom the angel exchanged with Arj's hand-to-mouth life and underemployed situation), the character begins hesitantly experimenting with everyday experiences like chewing and consuming meals. And Reeves grins. Authentically, cautiously, joyously beams. (This is a lot more convincing than the smile shown in the poster, which looks artificially added.)

The Reason That Grin Is Significant

The moment truly surprised me to realize just how surprising and refreshing that expression was. At what point did we last audiences saw Keanu Reeves grin in a movie where he was not showing malice, irony, or resentment? The actor likely attempts a smile somewhere in the recent misbegotten the sequel, however I am not returning to that mess to find out. Reeves has remained stuck with grim, murderous, broody, or just serious roles for so long that just seeing Reeves grin felt like observing an entirely different actor.

While the plot goes on, the character ends up having to get a kitchen position, which fails to provide sufficient to live on, and he begins chain-smoking due to frustration. Just the image of Reeves in a disposable paper food-service cap, with his recent signature long hair pulled back in a plain bun, leaning against a wall and smoking a cigarette, is worth the price of admission. His dishwasher attire totally changes his face and body: Unexpectedly, the slim, suited action star of the John Wick films becomes gawky, ordinary, and a lot increasingly relatable.

A Pleasure of Viewing Reeves Relax

The film isn't always enjoyable to view, especially when the director (who also authored the screenplay) must find plausible explanations for {Ar