🔗 Share this article

Aziz Ansari's directorial debut, this whimsical comedy by comedian Aziz Ansari, has been struggling in theaters. Several factors could explain its reception: Its generic title doesn't convey the film's unique appeal. The script can be preachy and obvious with the messages. The performances seem uninspired and presentational, like the actors were reading lines straight from a script. And, the film comes during an era marked by financial anxiety and disparity, that could make viewers not very open to a story which suggests wealthy individuals enjoy all the benefits while the poor possess spirit.

But, this is where the movie stands out: It's original, bold, imaginative, frequently funny, and undoubtedly relevant. And, it provides a great Keanu Reeves character-driven experience.

Keanu Reeves in the role of Guardian: A Familiar Performance

Personally, I've never regarded Keanu Reeves a strong actor. His flat speaking style and persistent expression of slight perturbation has consistently seemed limited, despite the broad variety of roles he has played during the past four decades years. Smart directors have cast him in parts where that stoic nature fits ideally, from his early work to The Matrix to the action series. Yet nearly every one of these characters required Reeves to seem tough, distant, and removed.

In the film, the actor plays an angel, one minor guardian angel tasked with watching over individuals who text when driving. The character's entire job involves remaining in their vehicles and lightly making contact with their arms when they're about to crash, warning the person in order that the driver stop in time. But, while standing high above his domain, looking down on the mortal world like a interpretation of a celestial figure in the director's classic film the angel story, Gabriel gets ambitious. Gabriel desires to be an exceptional guardian and rescuer of wayward individuals.

A Unexpected Shift: Reeves as a Human

So, he presents himself to down-and-out odd-jobber Arj (played by the director), who is residing out of his car and resenting his situation. Gabriel proceeds to swaps Arj into the existence of extremely rich businessman a character (played by Seth Rogen). This point of the exercise is that the character would realize Jeff's life comes with major downsides, and gratefully return to his original life, much like a character from the classic film.

Issue was, Arj immediately realizes that Jeff's problems (tedious meetings, expensive heating bill) prove negligible and easily resolved using wealth. He also sees that becoming rich opens up limitless opportunities for pleasurable enjoyment. He has no desire in returning to his own life, and the angel can't compel him to go back. Subsequently, more trouble arrives: For overstepping his duties and disrupting the balance of the world, the character is fired from his angel job, and turned to a human being.

The Revelation: Keanu Reeves Smiles

Personally, I remained not convinced by the actor playing an angel who has big aspirations and an intense desire to effect change. He turns in a familiar vaguely stiff acting he has consistently offering for no less than the past 3 ten-year periods. Viewing Reeves in the role of angel that has recently become human for the first time, on the other hand, was a blast, for a reason which really surprised me initially: It's an element new for the actor. Or perhaps to be precise, an aspect from the past.

Early into his baffling career being a mortal, clinging to the wealthy character (who the angel had swapped with the handyman's hand-to-mouth life and underemployed situation), the character begins tentatively trying out human activities like chewing and consuming food. And the actor smiles. Authentically, hesitantly, happily beams. (This is far much believable than his grin shown in the poster, which looks digitally altered.)

The Reason This Smile Matters

The moment truly surprised me to recognize how unexpected and refreshing the expression felt. At what point did we last we observed the actor smile in a movie in which he wasn't showing ill will, irony, or bitterness? The actor probably tries a smile at some point in 2020's ill-conceived Bill & Ted Face the Music, however I am not returning to the disappointment to find out. Reeves has remained typecast with grim, violent, broody, or simply solemn characters for so long that just seeing Reeves smile seemed like observing a completely different performer.

As the plot progresses, Gabriel finds himself having to take a dishwashing position, which fails to provide enough to live on, and he starts chain-smoking due to disappointment. Just the sight of the actor in a cheap paper food-service hat, with his recent signature locks tied in a plain ponytail, leaning against a wall and smoking a smoke, proves worthy of the price of admission. His kitchen worker attire totally changes his appearance and body: Suddenly, the lean, well-dressed physical powerhouse of his famous movies is awkward, ordinary, and a lot more relatable.

The Pleasure of Watching Reeves Relax

The film isn't always enjoyable to view, especially when Ansari (who additionally wrote the screenplay) must find plausible reasons for {Ar