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Aziz Ansari's directorial debut, the fantasy comedy by actor the director, is struggling in theaters. Many reasons may explain its performance: Its generic name fails to convey the movie's unique charm. Its script can be preachy and heavy-handed regarding its themes. Its acting seem uninspired and staged, as if the cast are reading lines directly from the page. Moreover, the film comes during an era of financial uncertainty and disparity, which could make viewers less receptive to a narrative which implies rich people have all the advantages while those in need have spirit.

But, here's where the movie stands out: The film is original, bold, imaginative, frequently funny, and undoubtedly relevant. Plus, it offers an unexpectedly enjoyable Keanu Reeves hangout movie.

Keanu Reeves as an Angel: His Typical Performance

Personally, I've not regarded Keanu Reeves a strong performer. The actor's flat delivery and persistent look of slight perturbation has always seemed one-note, despite his wide range of characters he's taken on during the past four decades years. Astute directors have placed him in parts where that stoic nature fits ideally, including his early work to the sci-fi classic to John Wick. But nearly every one of these roles called for him to seem tough, distant, or removed.

In the film, the actor portrays Gabriel, a minor protecting celestial being assigned with looking after individuals who use their phones while behind the wheel. His entire job is remaining in their vehicles and gently touching the drivers' shoulders when they're about to have an accident, warning the person in order that they stop before impact. However, when standing overlooking the city, gazing upon humanity like a interpretation of a celestial figure from the director's renowned movie the angel story, the character becomes aspirational. Gabriel wants to be a great protector and rescuer of wayward individuals.

The Unexpected Turn: Reeves as a Mortal

So, Gabriel reveals his presence to down-and-out odd-jobber Arj (played by the director), who's residing out of a vehicle and cursing his situation. Gabriel then exchanges the man into the life of stupidly wealthy businessman a character (acted by Seth Rogen). The point of the exercise was for the character would understand Jeff's life has significant drawbacks, and gratefully return to his original life, much like a character from the classic film.

Issue was, the character immediately discovers that Jeff's issues (boring meetings, expensive heating bill) prove minor and easily solved using money. Arj further realizes how becoming affluent provides limitless chances for self-indulgent enjoyment. He has zero desire in returning to his own situation, and Gabriel can't force Arj to return. Then, additional bad news arrives: Because of exceeding his mandate and disrupting the order of existence, the character is fired from his angel role, and transformed into a human being.

A Discovery: Keanu Reeves Grins

I was never convinced by Reeves playing an angel who has big dreams and an intense wish to make a difference. Reeves turns in the same somewhat constipated acting he has consistently offering for at least the last 3 decades. Viewing him in the role of angel who's just become mortal for the first time, however, was a blast, due to something that truly surprised me at first: It's an element new for the actor. Or to be precise, an aspect old.

Soon into his confusing experience as a human, clinging to the wealthy character (who Gabriel exchanged into Arj's hand-to-mouth existence and underemployed situation), Gabriel starts hesitantly trying out human experiences such as eating and swallowing food. Then the actor smiles. Authentically, cautiously, joyously beams. (It's far more believable than the smile shown in the promotional image, which looks digitally altered.)

Why That Grin Matters

The moment really took me aback to realize just how surprising and welcome the expression was. When was the last time we observed Keanu Reeves smile in a movie in which he wasn't expressing ill will, sarcasm, or resentment? He likely tries it at some point in the recent ill-conceived Bill & Ted Face the Music, but I'm not revisiting the disappointment to confirm. The actor has been typecast with grim, murderous, introspective, or simply solemn roles for such a duration that just watching Reeves smile seemed like seeing a completely new performer.

While the plot goes on, the character ends up needing to get a kitchen job, a role that doesn't pay enough for survival, and he begins chain-smoking due to disappointment. Just the image of the actor in a disposable plastic food-service cap, his late-career trademark long hair pulled back in a plain ponytail, leaning on a wall and puffing on a cigarette, is worth watching. His dishwasher getup totally alters his appearance and body: Unexpectedly, the lean, suited action star of the John Wick films is awkward, unglamorous, and a lot increasingly human.

The Joy of Watching Keanu Relax

The film is not consistently fun to watch, especially when Ansari (who additionally wrote the script) has to find plausible reasons for {Ar