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Aziz Ansari's directorial debut, the fantasy film from actor the director, has been struggling in theaters. Many reasons could account for its reception: The generic name fails to convey the film's unique charm. Its screenplay is often preachy and obvious with its themes. The acting seem flat and presentational, as if the cast are reciting lines straight from the page. And, the film comes during an era of economic uncertainty and disparity, that could make audiences not very receptive to a story that implies rich individuals have every advantages while those in need possess heart.

However, this is what the movie stands out: The film is original, bold, creative, frequently funny, and undoubtedly relevant. And, it offers an unexpectedly enjoyable the actor hangout experience.

Reeves as an Guardian: A Familiar Portrayal

I have never regarded Keanu Reeves to be a good actor. His monotonal delivery and consistent expression of slight concern have always seemed one-note, despite the wide range of characters he's played over the past four decades years. Astute directors have often placed Reeves in parts in which that rigidity fits ideally, from his early work to the sci-fi classic to John Wick. Yet nearly all of those characters required him to seem hardened, closed-off, or removed.

Throughout the film, Reeves portrays Gabriel, a minor protecting celestial being tasked with looking after people who text while driving. The character's entire duty involves remaining in their vehicles and gently touching their arms when they are about to crash, warning the person in order that the driver brake in time. However, while positioned high above his domain, gazing upon the mortal world similar to an alternative interpretation of the angel in the director's renowned movie the angel story, Gabriel becomes aspirational. Gabriel desires to be an exceptional guardian and rescuer of wayward individuals.

A Unexpected Shift: Keanu Playing a Human

So, Gabriel presents himself to down-and-out odd-jobber a character (portrayed by Aziz Ansari), who is residing out of a vehicle and cursing his situation. Gabriel proceeds to exchanges Arj into the life of stupidly rich businessman a character (played by Seth Rogen). The point of the exercise was that Arj to realize the wealthy man's life comes with major drawbacks, and thankfully return to his own circumstances, similar to a character in It's a Wonderful Life.

Problem was, Arj right away realizes that Jeff's issues (boring meetings, a pricey pool-heater invoice) are negligible and readily solved using money. He also realizes that becoming affluent provides endless chances for self-indulgent fun. The character shows zero interest in going back to his previous life, and the angel can't compel Arj to go back. Subsequently, additional trouble arrives: Because of exceeding his duties and disrupting the balance of the world, Gabriel loses his position from his angel job, and transformed to a mortal.

The Discovery: The Actor Grins

Personally, I remained never persuaded by Reeves as an celestial being with big dreams and an intense desire to make a difference. He turns in a familiar vaguely stiff performance he has consistently providing for at least the past three decades. Watching him in the role of celestial being that has recently become human for the first time, however, proved to be a blast, for a reason which really astonished viewers at first: This is something different for Reeves. Or more accurately, something old.

Soon into his confusing career being a mortal, clinging to the wealthy character (who the angel exchanged with Arj's hand-to-mouth life and jobless situation), Gabriel begins hesitantly trying out human experiences such as eating and swallowing meals. And the actor grins. Authentically, cautiously, joyously smiles. (This is a lot much convincing than his grin shown in the promotional image, which appears artificially added.)

The Reason That Grin Is Significant

The moment truly took me aback to realize just how surprising and welcome that expression was. At what point did we last audiences saw Keanu Reeves grin in a film where he was not showing ill will, irony, or resentment? The actor likely attempts it somewhere in 2020's misbegotten the sequel, but I'm not going to revisiting that mess to confirm. Reeves has remained stuck with grim, murderous, broody, or just solemn characters for so long that merely seeing him grin felt like observing a completely different actor.

While the story progresses, Gabriel finds himself needing to take a kitchen position, a role that doesn't pay enough to live on, and he starts chain-smoking due to disappointment. Just the sight of the actor in a cheap paper food-service cap, with his late-career trademark locks pulled back in a plain bun, slouching on a wall and smoking a smoke, proves worth the price of admission. His kitchen worker getup completely alters his face and body: Suddenly, the lean, well-dressed physical powerhouse of his famous movies becomes awkward, ordinary, and a lot more relatable.

A Joy of Watching Keanu Relax

The film isn't consistently fun to view, particularly when the director (that additionally authored the script) has to create plausible explanations for {Ar