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Aziz Ansari's directorial debut, this whimsical comedy by actor Aziz Ansari, has been facing challenges at the box office. Several reasons could account for the film's performance: Its generic name doesn't express the film's unique appeal. Its screenplay can be preachy and heavy-handed with the messages. Its performances seem flat and staged, as if the actors are reciting dialogue straight from the page. Moreover, it arrives at a time marked by financial uncertainty and disparity, that may make viewers less open to a story which suggests rich people enjoy all the benefits while those in need have heart.

But, this is where the movie excels: The film is unique, daring, creative, frequently humorous, and undoubtedly relevant. Plus, it provides an unexpectedly great the actor character-driven movie.

Keanu Reeves in the role of Guardian: His Typical Portrayal

I have never considered Reeves to be a strong performer. The actor's monotonal speaking style and consistent expression of slight concern have consistently seemed limited, despite the wide variety of characters he has taken on during the last four decades of his career. Smart directors have often cast Reeves in parts in which that rigidity fits perfectly, including his early work to The Matrix to John Wick. But nearly every one of these roles required him to seem hardened, closed-off, or removed.

In the film, the actor portrays an angel, a low-level guardian angel assigned with watching over people that use their phones when behind the wheel. His entire duty is sitting in his vehicles and lightly touching the drivers' shoulders when they're about to have an accident, warning them in order that they brake before impact. However, when positioned high above the city, looking down on the mortal world like a interpretation of the angel from the director's renowned film Wings of Desire, the character gets ambitious. Gabriel wants to become an exceptional guardian and rescuer of wayward souls.

The Unexpected Shift: Keanu as a Mortal

Therefore, he presents himself to struggling handyman a character (portrayed by the director), who is residing in a vehicle and cursing his life. The angel then exchanges the man with the life of extremely rich businessman a character (played by Seth Rogen). This idea behind the experiment is that Arj to realize Jeff's existence has major downsides, and gratefully return to his own circumstances, similar to the character in the classic film.

Problem was, Arj right away discovers that the mogul's issues (tedious appointments, a pricey pool-heater bill) prove negligible and readily solved using wealth. Arj further sees how becoming rich opens up limitless chances for pleasurable enjoyment. He shows zero desire in returning to his own situation, and Gabriel can't force Arj to go back. Then, additional bad news arrives: Because of exceeding his duties and disrupting the balance of the world, Gabriel is fired from his celestial job, and transformed to a mortal.

A Discovery: Keanu Reeves Grins

Personally, I remained never convinced by the actor playing an celestial being with grand aspirations and an intense desire to make a difference. Reeves delivers the same vaguely constipated acting he's been providing for no less than the past three decades. Watching him in the role of angel who's just become mortal initially, on the other hand, was highly entertaining, for a reason which really surprised viewers at first: This is something different for Reeves. Or to be precise, an aspect from the past.

Early during the character's confusing career as a mortal, clinging to the wealthy character (whom the angel had swapped with the handyman's hand-to-mouth life and jobless situation), the character begins hesitantly trying out everyday experiences like eating and swallowing food. And the actor grins. Authentically, cautiously, happily beams. (It's a lot more believable than his grin on the poster, that appears artificially added.)

Why That Grin Matters

It really took me aback to recognize just how unexpected and refreshing the smile was. At what point was the last time we saw the actor grin in a film where he wasn't expressing ill will, irony, or bitterness? The actor probably tries a smile at some point in the recent ill-conceived the sequel, but I'm not going to revisiting the disappointment to confirm. Reeves has remained stuck with grim, murderous, broody, or just solemn roles for so long that merely watching Reeves grin felt like observing a completely different actor.

While the plot goes on, Gabriel finds himself having to take a dishwashing position, a role that fails to provide enough for survival, and he starts smoking heavily due to disappointment. Simply the image of the actor in a cheap paper restaurant cap, his recent signature locks pulled back in a plain ponytail, leaning against a building and puffing on a smoke, is worthy of the price of admission. His kitchen worker attire completely alters his appearance and posture: Suddenly, the lean, well-dressed action star of his famous films is gawky, unglamorous, and a lot more relatable.

A Pleasure of Viewing Keanu Loosen Up

The film is not consistently enjoyable to watch, particularly when Ansari (who additionally wrote the script) must find plausible explanations for {Ar