Good Fortune Movie Review
In his feature film directorial debut, Aziz Ansari brings his energetic and observant comedic stylings to Good Fortune, a feel-good and hilarious comedy that harnesses the nostalgia of early 2000s, high-concept stories told in a really funny way that seemed to be long gone. But weaponising an icon of 2000s comedy with Seth Rogen and the effervescent charm of Keanu Reeves results in a movie that might just push the comeback for these types of films.
Reeves plays Gabriel, a guardian angel who specialises in saving people who are texting and driving from getting into accidents. But being surrounded by other angels who specialise in more seemingly more meaningful roles, like helping lost souls or jazz musicians, Gabriel desires more, much like Arj (Ansari) a gig-worker struggling to get by, even though he is hustling his way through multiple jobs.
Both Arj and Gabriel get their chance to shine when they encounter Jeff (Rogen), a wealthy tech investor, who hires and subsequently fires Arj over a menial mishap. Gabriel sees Arj as a “lost soul” and offers the chance to swap lives with Jeff to show Arj that even having everything you could ever want doesn’t bring you happiness. Unfortunately for Gabriel, Arj seems pretty damn happy with his new life, something that causes Gabriel to lose his angel wings, and something that doesn’t sit well with Jeff, who is struggling to adapt to living Arj’s life.
Utilising a classic storytelling trope that has vibes of A Christmas Carol and Freaky Friday, Ansari manages to fit his exploration of the themes seamlessly into a contemporary setting. The gig-work like food delivery driving or getting hired to put people’s furniture together is portrayed as not survivable in this current economy, and the idea that people have to bust their butts just to live, while tech billionaires thrive in their mansions, doesn’t seem fair. But while that is comedically and observantly brought forward in Ansari’s story, the real heart lies in his feel-good breakdown of how the real richness that comes from life is through the connections and care we have with others, and the little things are sometimes more worth living for. It’s sappy at times, and maybe not entirely explored in an in-depth or new way, but the message still hits the same.
The real entertainment value of Good Fortune lies in the comedic chemistry between Reeves, Rogen and Ansari. Reeves’ is often forgotten these days (in a John Wick dominated world) for the strong roots he has in comedy, and the innocence of Gabriel experiencing the world as a human lends to hilarious moments. Whether it’s an ill-advised but passionate speech about getting dogs unionised or trying “chicken nuggies” for the first time, there is not a moment where Reeves is on screen that isn’t as hilarious as it is heart-warming. Both Rogen and Ansari play the characters with the demeanour we have come to know and love from their previous projects, but both actors deliver the humour and heart that this story needs.
Good Fortune is a feel-good and funny movie that has its heart in the right place and its humour delivered with sharp precision. It may tread too familiar ground with the themes it’s exploring, but it’s a great feeling to have a movie that harkens back to a style of comedy that feels like it may have been lost 15 or 20 years ago.
Good Fortune is in Australian cinemas October 30
