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Aziz Ansari's directorial debut, this fantasy film by actor the director, has been struggling at the box office. Several reasons may account for the film's reception: Its generic title doesn't express its movie's unique appeal. Its screenplay can be moralizing and heavy-handed regarding the themes. Its performances are uninspired and staged, like the cast are reciting dialogue directly from the page. Moreover, it arrives at a time of economic anxiety and inequality, that may render audiences less receptive to a narrative that suggests rich individuals have all the advantages while those in need have heart.

However, this is what the movie stands out: It's unique, bold, imaginative, often funny, and undoubtedly timely. Plus, it provides a enjoyable Keanu Reeves hangout movie.

Keanu Reeves in the role of Guardian: A Familiar Performance

Personally, I've not regarded Keanu Reeves a good performer. His monotonal speaking style and persistent look of slight concern has consistently felt limited, despite the wide variety of characters he's taken on over the last 40 years. Smart filmmakers have cast Reeves in roles in which that rigidity works perfectly, from his early work to The Matrix to John Wick. Yet almost all of those characters required Reeves to appear hardened, closed-off, and detached.

Throughout the film, Reeves plays Gabriel, a low-level guardian celestial being tasked with watching over people who text while driving. The character's whole job involves remaining in his cars and lightly making contact with the drivers' arms when they're close to crash, alerting the person in order that they brake in time. However, when standing high above his domain, gazing on the mortal world similar to an alternative interpretation of the angel in Wim Wenders' renowned film Wings of Desire, Gabriel becomes aspirational. He desires to become a great protector and a savior of lost individuals.

The Surprising Turn: Keanu Playing a Mortal

So, he presents his presence to down-and-out odd-jobber Arj (played by the director), who's residing in a vehicle and resenting his life. Gabriel then swaps Arj into the life of stupidly wealthy businessman Jeff (played by the comedian). This idea of the experiment was for the character to understand Jeff's life has significant downsides, and thankfully return to his original circumstances, similar to a character in the classic film.

Problem is, Arj right away realizes how Jeff's issues (boring appointments, a pricey pool-heater bill) prove negligible and readily solved using wealth. Arj also realizes how becoming rich provides limitless chances for self-indulgent fun. He has no interest in returning to his own life, and Gabriel can't force Arj to go back. Subsequently, more bad news arrives: For overstepping his mandate and disrupting the order of the world, the character is fired as an celestial job, and turned into a human being.

A Discovery: The Actor Smiles

Personally, I remained never convinced by the actor as an celestial being who has big dreams and an intense wish to effect change. Reeves turns in a familiar somewhat constipated performance he's consistently providing for no less than the past 3 ten-year periods. Viewing him as an celestial being that has just become mortal initially, however, proved to be a blast, due to something which truly surprised me at first: This is something different for Reeves. Or more accurately, an aspect old.

Early into the character's confusing experience as a mortal, staying with the wealthy character (whom Gabriel had swapped with Arj's hand-to-mouth life and underemployed situation), Gabriel starts tentatively trying out human experiences such as chewing and swallowing meals. Then Reeves smiles. Authentically, cautiously, happily smiles. (This is a lot more convincing than the smile on the promotional image, that looks artificially added.)

The Reason That Smile Is Significant

It truly surprised me to realize how surprising and welcome the expression felt. When did we last we saw Keanu Reeves smile in a film in which he was not showing ill will, irony, or resentment? The actor likely tries a smile at some point in the recent misbegotten the sequel, but I am not going to revisiting the disappointment to confirm. The actor has been stuck with serious, murderous, broody, or just solemn roles for so long that just watching Reeves grin seemed like seeing an entirely different performer.

While the plot progresses, Gabriel ends up having to take a dishwashing job, which doesn't pay sufficient to live on, and he begins smoking heavily out of disappointment. Simply the image of the actor in a disposable plastic restaurant cap, his late-career trademark long hair tied in an unglamorous bun, slouching on a wall and smoking a cigarette, proves worthy of the price of admission. The dishwasher getup totally alters his appearance and posture: Suddenly, the lean, suited physical powerhouse of the John Wick movies is gawky, ordinary, and much more relatable.

The Pleasure of Watching Keanu Loosen Up

The film isn't consistently enjoyable to view, particularly when Ansari (who also authored the script) has to find believable reasons for {Ar