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Aziz Ansari's directorial debut, the whimsical film by comedian the director, has been struggling in theaters. Many factors may explain its reception: The generic title doesn't express its movie's unique appeal. The screenplay is often preachy and obvious with its themes. Its performances are uninspired and staged, as if the cast were reciting lines straight from the page. Moreover, it arrives during an era marked by financial anxiety and inequality, which could make viewers not very open to a story which suggests rich people enjoy every advantages while the poor have heart.

However, here's where the movie stands out: It's unique, daring, imaginative, frequently humorous, and undoubtedly timely. And, it provides a great Keanu Reeves hangout experience.

Keanu Reeves as an Angel: A Familiar Performance

I have never considered Keanu Reeves to be a good performer. The actor's monotonal delivery and consistent expression of mild perturbation have always seemed limited, regardless of his wide range of roles he's played over the past four decades years. Astute filmmakers have cast Reeves in parts in which that rigidity fits perfectly, from his early work to The Matrix to the action series. But nearly all of those characters required Reeves to seem tough, distant, and removed.

Throughout the film, the actor portrays Gabriel, one minor guardian angel assigned with looking after people that text while driving. The character's whole duty involves remaining in their cars and lightly touching their shoulders when they're about to crash, warning them in order that the driver stop in time. However, when positioned overlooking his domain, looking down on the mortal world similar to an alternative interpretation of the angel in the director's classic movie Wings of Desire, the character becomes ambitious. Gabriel wants to become an exceptional protector and a savior of lost individuals.

The Unexpected Shift: Reeves Playing a Mortal

So, Gabriel presents his presence to struggling handyman a character (portrayed by the director), who is residing out of a vehicle and resenting his situation. The angel then swaps Arj with the life of stupidly wealthy tech mogul a character (acted by Seth Rogen). The idea of the experiment was that Arj would understand Jeff's existence comes with major drawbacks, and thankfully return to his original life, similar to a character in It's a Wonderful Life.

Problem is, the character right away realizes that Jeff's problems (tedious meetings, expensive heating bill) prove negligible and easily resolved using money. Arj also realizes that becoming rich provides limitless chances for self-indulgent fun. The character shows no desire in going back to his own life, and Gabriel is unable to compel Arj to go back. Then, additional bad news comes: For overstepping his mandate and messing with the balance of the world, the character loses his position from his celestial job, and transformed to a mortal.

The Discovery: Keanu Reeves Smiles

I was never convinced by Reeves as an celestial being who has grand aspirations and an intense desire to effect change. He delivers the same somewhat stiff acting he has consistently providing for no less than the last three decades. Watching him in the role of celestial being who's recently become human for the first time, on the other hand, was highly entertaining, due to something which really astonished viewers at first: This is an element different for the actor. Or more accurately, something old.

Early into his confusing experience as a mortal, staying with the wealthy character (who the angel had swapped with Arj's precarious life and jobless status), Gabriel starts tentatively trying out everyday experiences such as eating and consuming meals. And Reeves smiles. Genuinely, hesitantly, joyously smiles. (It's a lot much believable than the grin shown in the promotional image, that looks artificially added.)

The Reason This Grin Matters

The moment truly took me aback to recognize how surprising and refreshing the smile felt. When did we last we saw Keanu Reeves smile in a movie where he wasn't showing ill will, irony, or bitterness? He probably tries a smile somewhere in 2020's ill-conceived the sequel, but I am not going to revisiting the disappointment to confirm. The actor has been typecast with grim, violent, broody, or simply serious roles for such a duration that just seeing him smile felt like observing a completely different performer.

As the story progresses, Gabriel finds himself having to take a dishwashing job, which fails to provide enough to live on, and he begins smoking heavily out of frustration. Simply the image of Reeves in a cheap paper food-service hat, with his recent trademark long hair pulled back in an unglamorous ponytail, slouching against a wall and smoking a smoke, is worthy of the price of admission. His kitchen worker attire completely changes his face and posture: Suddenly, the slim, well-dressed action star of his famous films is gawky, unglamorous, and a lot more human.

The Joy of Viewing Reeves Loosen Up

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