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Good Fortune, this whimsical comedy by comedian the director, is facing challenges in theaters. Many reasons may explain the film's performance: Its uninspired name doesn't convey the film's unique appeal. The script can be preachy and obvious regarding the messages. Its acting are uninspired and staged, like the cast are reciting dialogue directly from a script. Moreover, the film comes at a time of economic anxiety and inequality, that may render viewers not very receptive to a narrative which suggests rich individuals enjoy every advantages while the poor have heart.

But, here's where Good Fortune stands out: The film is unique, daring, creative, frequently humorous, and undoubtedly relevant. Plus, it provides an unexpectedly great Keanu Reeves hangout movie.

Reeves as an Angel: His Typical Portrayal

I have not considered Keanu Reeves a good actor. The actor's flat delivery and persistent look of slight concern has always felt one-note, regardless of his broad range of roles he's taken on during the last four decades years. Astute directors have cast him in parts in which that rigidity works perfectly, including his early work to The Matrix to the action series. Yet nearly every one of these roles called for Reeves to seem tough, closed-off, and detached.

Throughout the film, the actor portrays an angel, one low-level guardian celestial being assigned with watching over people that use their phones when behind the wheel. The character's whole duty is sitting in their cars and lightly making contact with the drivers' arms as they're close to have an accident, warning them so they brake before impact. But, while positioned overlooking his domain, looking down upon the mortal world like an alternative interpretation of a celestial figure in Wim Wenders' classic film Wings of Desire, the character becomes ambitious. Gabriel desires to become an exceptional protector and a savior of lost individuals.

A Surprising Turn: Keanu Playing a Mortal

So, he presents himself to down-and-out odd-jobber Arj (portrayed by the director), who's living out of his car and resenting his situation. Gabriel then exchanges Arj with the existence of stupidly wealthy tech mogul Jeff (acted by Seth Rogen). This point behind the exercise was that the character would understand Jeff's life has major downsides, and gratefully return to his original life, much like the character in It's a Wonderful Life.

Issue is, the character right away realizes that Jeff's issues (boring meetings, a pricey pool-heater invoice) are negligible and readily resolved with wealth. He also sees that being affluent provides endless chances for pleasurable enjoyment. He has zero interest in returning to his previous situation, and the angel is unable to force Arj to return. Subsequently, more bad news arrives: Because of overstepping his mandate and messing with the balance of existence, the character is fired as an celestial role, and turned into a mortal.

A Revelation: The Actor Smiles

Personally, I remained never convinced by the actor playing an celestial being who has grand dreams and a burning wish to make a difference. He delivers a familiar vaguely stiff acting he has been providing for at least the past three decades. Watching him as an angel that has recently become human initially, on the other hand, proved to be a blast, due to something that really surprised viewers initially: This is something new for the actor. Or perhaps more accurately, something old.

Early into his confusing career being a mortal, staying with Jeff (whom Gabriel exchanged into the handyman's precarious existence and jobless situation), the character begins hesitantly experimenting with everyday activities like chewing and consuming food. Then the actor smiles. Genuinely, cautiously, happily beams. (This is far more believable than the smile shown in the poster, which appears artificially added.)

Why That Smile Matters

The moment truly surprised me to realize just how surprising and welcome that smile was. At what point did we last we saw the actor smile in a movie in which he wasn't showing malice, sarcasm, or bitterness? The actor likely attempts a smile at some point in the recent ill-conceived the sequel, however I am not returning to that disappointment to find out. The actor has remained typecast with grim, violent, introspective, or just solemn roles for such a duration that merely watching him grin seemed like observing a completely new performer.

While the story goes on, Gabriel ends up having to get a kitchen job, a role that fails to provide sufficient for survival, and Gabriel starts chain-smoking out of frustration. Just the sight of the actor in a cheap paper restaurant cap, with his recent trademark long hair pulled back in an unglamorous ponytail, slouching on a wall and puffing on a cigarette, is worthy of the price of admission. His kitchen worker getup completely alters his appearance and posture: Unexpectedly, the slim, well-dressed action star of the John Wick movies is gawky, unglamorous, and a lot increasingly relatable.

The Pleasure of Viewing Keanu Loosen Up

The film is not consistently enjoyable to view, particularly when the director (that additionally authored the script) has to find plausible explanations for {Ar