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Good Fortune, the fantasy comedy by actor the director, is struggling in theaters. Several reasons may account for the film's reception: The generic name doesn't convey the film's distinctive appeal. The script can be moralizing and obvious regarding the themes. The performances seem flat and staged, as if the cast were reciting lines straight from the page. Moreover, the film comes during an era of economic anxiety and inequality, which could make viewers not very open to a story which suggests wealthy people have all the advantages while the poor have heart.

But, here's what Good Fortune stands out: It's unique, bold, creative, frequently funny, and certainly timely. And, it offers an unexpectedly great Keanu Reeves hangout experience.

Keanu Reeves as an Angel: His Typical Performance

Personally, I've not considered Keanu Reeves a strong actor. His flat speaking style and persistent look of slight perturbation have consistently seemed limited, despite the broad range of characters he has played during the last four decades of his career. Astute directors have often placed Reeves in roles where that stoic nature fits perfectly, from My Own Private Idaho to the sci-fi classic to the action series. But nearly all of these characters called for him to seem tough, closed-off, and removed.

Throughout Good Fortune, Reeves plays an angel, a low-level protecting angel tasked with looking after individuals that text when driving. The character's entire duty involves sitting in his vehicles and lightly touching their shoulders as they're about to have an accident, warning the person in order that the driver stop in time. But, when standing overlooking his domain, gazing on the mortal world like a version of the angel from Wim Wenders' classic film Wings of Desire, the character becomes ambitious. He wants to become a great protector and a savior of wayward souls.

The Unexpected Shift: Reeves Playing a Mortal

So, he reveals his presence to struggling odd-jobber a character (played by the director), who is residing in his car and resenting his life. The angel proceeds to exchanges Arj into the life of stupidly rich businessman Jeff (acted by Seth Rogen). This idea behind the exercise is that Arj would understand the wealthy man's existence has major downsides, and gratefully return to his original circumstances, much like a figure in It's a Wonderful Life.

Problem was, the character immediately discovers that Jeff's issues (tedious meetings, expensive pool-heater bill) are negligible and easily resolved using money. Arj further sees that becoming rich provides limitless opportunities for self-indulgent fun. The character shows zero interest in going back to his previous situation, and the angel is unable to compel him to return. Then, more trouble comes: Because of overstepping his mandate and messing with the order of the world, the character loses his position from his celestial role, and turned to a mortal.

The Discovery: Keanu Reeves Grins

I was never convinced by Reeves playing an celestial being who has big aspirations and a burning desire to effect change. Reeves turns in a familiar somewhat stiff acting he has consistently offering for at least the past 3 decades. Viewing him as an celestial being that has recently turned human for the first time, on the other hand, was highly entertaining, due to something which really astonished viewers initially: This is an element new for the actor. Or more accurately, something from the past.

Early during his confusing experience as a mortal, clinging to Jeff (whom the angel had swapped into Arj's hand-to-mouth existence and jobless status), the character starts tentatively trying out everyday activities such as eating and swallowing meals. Then the actor grins. Genuinely, cautiously, joyously smiles. (It's a lot much believable than the grin shown in the promotional image, which looks artificially added.)

Why This Grin Matters

The moment really took me aback to recognize how surprising and refreshing the expression was. When did we last audiences saw the actor grin in a film in which he was not showing ill will, irony, or resentment? He probably attempts a smile somewhere in the recent ill-conceived Bill & Ted Face the Music, however I am not going to returning to the disappointment to find out. The actor has been stuck with serious, murderous, introspective, or simply serious characters for such a duration that just watching him grin seemed like observing an entirely different performer.

While the plot goes on, the character finds himself having to get a kitchen job, which fails to provide sufficient to live on, and he starts chain-smoking due to disappointment. Simply the image of the actor in a disposable paper restaurant cap, his late-career signature long hair pulled back in an unglamorous ponytail, slouching on a wall and puffing on a smoke, is worth the price of admission. The kitchen worker getup totally alters his appearance and posture: Suddenly, the slim, suited action star of the John Wick films becomes awkward, ordinary, and much more human.

A Pleasure of Viewing Keanu Relax

The film isn't always fun to view, particularly when the director (who also wrote the screenplay) has to find plausible explanations for {Ar