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Aziz Ansari's directorial debut, this fantasy film from actor Aziz Ansari, has been struggling in theaters. Several factors could explain the film's performance: The generic name doesn't express its movie's distinctive charm. Its script can be preachy and obvious with the messages. Its performances seem flat and staged, as if the cast are reading dialogue directly from the page. Moreover, the film comes at a time marked by financial anxiety and inequality, that could render audiences less receptive to a story that implies rich individuals enjoy all the benefits while the poor possess spirit.

But, this is where the movie excels: The film is original, bold, creative, often funny, and undoubtedly timely. Plus, it provides a enjoyable the actor hangout movie.

Reeves in the role of Angel: His Typical Performance

I have not considered Reeves a good actor. His flat speaking style and persistent expression of slight perturbation have consistently seemed one-note, despite his wide range of characters he has played over the past four decades years. Astute directors have often cast Reeves in parts where his stoic nature works ideally, including My Own Private Idaho to the sci-fi classic to John Wick. Yet nearly every one of these roles required him to appear hardened, distant, and detached.

In the film, Reeves portrays Gabriel, one low-level protecting angel tasked with watching over people that text while behind the wheel. His entire duty involves sitting in their vehicles and lightly making contact with the drivers' shoulders when they are close to have an accident, alerting the person in order that the driver stop before impact. However, when positioned high above the city, gazing on the mortal world similar to an alternative version of the angel from Wim Wenders' classic film the angel story, Gabriel gets aspirational. Gabriel desires to be an exceptional guardian and rescuer of lost souls.

The Surprising Turn: Keanu as a Human

Therefore, Gabriel reveals himself to down-and-out handyman a character (portrayed by Aziz Ansari), who is residing in a vehicle and resenting his life. Gabriel then exchanges Arj with the life of extremely wealthy tech mogul a character (acted by Seth Rogen). This idea behind the experiment was that the character would understand the wealthy man's life has major downsides, and thankfully return to his original life, much like a character in It's a Wonderful Life.

Issue was, Arj right away discovers that the mogul's issues (tedious appointments, expensive heating invoice) are negligible and easily resolved using wealth. He also realizes that becoming rich provides limitless opportunities for pleasurable enjoyment. He has no desire in going back to his previous life, and the angel can't compel Arj to return. Subsequently, additional bad news comes: Because of overstepping his duties and disrupting the order of existence, the character is fired from his angel job, and turned into a human being.

A Discovery: Keanu Reeves Smiles

I was never convinced by the actor playing an angel with grand dreams and an intense desire to effect change. He delivers a familiar somewhat stiff acting he's consistently offering for at least the past three decades. Watching him as an celestial being that has just become 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, an aspect old.

Soon during the character's confusing career being a human, staying with Jeff (whom Gabriel had swapped with the handyman's hand-to-mouth life and jobless situation), the character starts tentatively experimenting with everyday activities such as chewing and swallowing food. And the actor smiles. Authentically, cautiously, happily smiles. (This is far more convincing than the smile shown in the poster, that appears digitally altered.)

Why That Smile Is Significant

It truly surprised me to recognize just how unexpected and welcome the smile was. When did we last we saw Keanu Reeves smile in a film where he wasn't expressing malice, sarcasm, or resentment? He probably attempts it somewhere in 2020's ill-conceived Bill & Ted Face the Music, but I am not going to returning to the disappointment to confirm. Reeves has been stuck with grim, murderous, introspective, or just solemn characters for such a duration that merely seeing Reeves smile seemed like seeing a completely new actor.

While the story goes on, the character ends up needing to take a kitchen position, which doesn't pay enough to live on, and he starts chain-smoking out of frustration. Simply the image of the actor in a disposable paper restaurant cap, with his recent signature long hair pulled back in an unglamorous bun, leaning on a wall and puffing on a cigarette, is worthy of the price of admission. His kitchen worker attire totally changes his appearance and posture: Suddenly, the slim, suited action star of the John Wick films becomes gawky, unglamorous, and much increasingly human.

A Pleasure of Watching Reeves Relax

Good Fortune isn't always enjoyable to view, particularly when Ansari (who additionally authored the screenplay) must find believable reasons for {Ar