Let the actor Grin More Often: An Exploration at His Performance in the New Film

Good Fortune, the fantasy comedy from actor Aziz Ansari, has been facing challenges in theaters. Several reasons may account for its performance: The generic title fails to convey its movie's distinctive appeal. Its screenplay can be preachy and obvious regarding its messages. Its acting seem uninspired and staged, like the cast are reading lines straight from the page. Moreover, the film comes at a time marked by financial anxiety and inequality, that may render viewers less open to a narrative that suggests wealthy individuals have all the benefits while the poor possess heart.

However, this is what Good Fortune excels: It's unique, daring, imaginative, frequently funny, and undoubtedly timely. Plus, it provides a great Keanu Reeves character-driven movie.

Keanu Reeves in the role of Angel: A Familiar Portrayal

I have not considered Reeves to be a strong performer. The actor's monotonal delivery and persistent expression of slight perturbation have consistently felt one-note, regardless of the broad range of characters he has taken on during the last 40 of his career. Smart filmmakers have cast him in parts where that rigidity works ideally, including his early work to The Matrix to John Wick. Yet almost all of those characters required him to seem tough, closed-off, or removed.

Throughout Good Fortune, the actor plays Gabriel, one low-level guardian celestial being assigned with looking after people that text while driving. The character's entire duty involves remaining in their vehicles and gently making contact with their shoulders when they are close to crash, alerting the person in order that the driver brake before impact. But, when positioned overlooking his domain, looking down on humanity like a version of the angel in Wim Wenders' renowned film Wings of Desire, the character gets aspirational. He wants to be an exceptional protector and a savior of lost individuals.

A Unexpected Shift: Reeves Playing a Human

So, Gabriel presents his presence to down-and-out odd-jobber Arj (portrayed by the director), who is residing in his car and cursing his situation. The angel proceeds to exchanges the man into the life of extremely rich businessman Jeff (acted by the comedian). The point of the experiment was for Arj to understand Jeff's existence comes with major drawbacks, and thankfully return to his own life, similar to the figure in the classic film.

Issue is, the character right away discovers how the mogul's issues (tedious meetings, expensive pool-heater bill) are minor and easily resolved with money. He further realizes that becoming affluent provides limitless opportunities for pleasurable enjoyment. The character has no interest in returning to his previous life, and the angel is unable to force Arj to return. Then, more bad news comes: Because of overstepping his duties and disrupting the balance of the world, the character is fired as an celestial job, and turned into a mortal.

A Revelation: Keanu Reeves Grins

I was never persuaded by the actor as an angel who has grand aspirations and a burning wish to make a difference. Reeves turns in a familiar somewhat stiff performance he has consistently providing for at least the last three decades. Viewing him in the role of angel who's just become mortal for the first time, however, proved to be highly entertaining, for a reason which really surprised me at first: This is an element different for the actor. Or more accurately, something old.

Soon into the character's confusing career as a mortal, clinging to the wealthy character (whom Gabriel had swapped with the handyman's hand-to-mouth existence and jobless status), Gabriel starts hesitantly experimenting with everyday activities like chewing and swallowing meals. And the actor smiles. Authentically, cautiously, joyously smiles. (It's a lot more believable than the smile on the promotional image, that looks artificially added.)

The Reason That Grin Is Significant

It truly took me aback to realize how surprising and welcome the smile felt. When was the last time we observed Keanu Reeves smile in a film where he was not showing malice, irony, or bitterness? He likely tries it somewhere in 2020's ill-conceived the sequel, however I am not returning to the disappointment to find out. The actor has remained typecast with serious, murderous, introspective, or just serious characters for such a duration that just seeing Reeves grin felt like observing a completely different actor.

As the plot progresses, Gabriel finds himself having to take a kitchen position, which fails to provide sufficient for survival, and he starts chain-smoking due to frustration. Simply the image of Reeves in a disposable paper restaurant hat, his late-career trademark locks tied in a plain ponytail, leaning against a building and puffing on a cigarette, is worth watching. His dishwasher getup totally changes his appearance and body: Unexpectedly, the slim, well-dressed physical powerhouse of his famous movies is gawky, ordinary, and a lot increasingly human.

The Pleasure of Viewing Keanu Relax

Good Fortune isn't always enjoyable to watch, particularly when Ansari (that additionally wrote the screenplay) must create plausible explanations for {Ar