Good Fortune Review: Keanu Reeves Shines in Aziz Ansari’s Directorial Debut

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Aziz Ansari’s first film as director follows a surprising trio – a struggling worker, a wealthy billionaire, and someone seemingly otherworldly – after a simple act of kindness leads to a complete role reversal. The result is a funny, touching, and honest look at life in post-pandemic Los Angeles, particularly the challenges of the gig economy and the growing gap between rich and poor. Starring Aziz Ansari alongside Seth Rogen and Keke Palmer, *Good Fortune* is being hailed as one of the most original and relatable comedies of 2025.

Okay, so this movie is set in modern-day LA and it follows this film editor, Arj, who’s really hitting a rough patch. He’s working a bunch of dead-end jobs just to get by, and honestly, he’s pretty down on life. The one good thing he has going for him is Elena, a coworker who’s super driven and wants to fight for better working conditions. Then things get *weird*. Arj ends up delivering something to this ridiculously wealthy tech billionaire, Jeff, who’s basically living the high life. Meanwhile, there’s this angel, Gabriel, who has the surprisingly unglamorous job of stopping people from texting while driving. He’s told to leave things alone, but he’s convinced there’s someone he can *really* help. He sees how much Arj is struggling and decides to switch their lives – a decision that immediately backfires. Now, Arj has to figure out if his old life was worth anything, and Gabriel has to deal with the chaos of being rich *and* help Jeff survive on the streets. It’s a total mess, but a funny one!

Good Fortune Deconstructs Hollywood, Capitalism and the Human Condition

From the very beginning, *Good Fortune* appeared poised for success. It was created by Aziz Ansari, known for his memorable role as the funny and mischievous Tom Haverford on *Parks and Recreation*, and his subsequent work with Netflix. Pairing him with Seth Rogen – a comedian famous for his charmingly irreverent persona – felt both unexpected and perfectly fitting.

Casting Keanu Reeves – known as one of Hollywood’s kindest and most popular actors, who seems to never age – as an actual angel feels like a particularly obvious typecast. However, unlike some other instances of this, Reeves has a strong history of playing tough, skilled fighters, making his portrayal of the innocent, childlike angel Gabriel surprisingly funny. He’s also simply charming in the role. This continues a recent trend in movies of portraying a gentle, almost childlike masculinity – a ‘male manic pixie’ – seen in films like *A Real Pain, Sacramento* and *The Ballad of Wallis Island*. Like those films, Reeves’ Gabriel is paired with two cynical, realistic humans, which keeps the concept fresh and appealing instead of feeling cliché.

As a film lover, I was really struck by the chemistry between Ansari, Rogen, and Reeves. They just *click* together, and it feels incredibly natural – almost like you forget who they are as famous actors. It’s funny, though, because it’s *because* we recognize them so well that the movie works! Ansari really lets them play into those familiar quirks and eccentricities we already love. Now, it’s not a perfect approach; sometimes it holds the film back from being truly immersive, but it’s not a dealbreaker. *Good Fortune* is a genuinely charming and feel-good movie with some really clever, witty dialogue. It touches on some surprisingly deep themes, but it presents them in a pretty straightforward way, which, honestly, can be a little underwhelming. Because everyone leans so hard into their established ‘types,’ the performances sometimes feel a bit one-note. Still, the actors commit so fully, and the story feels so sincere, that it mostly overcomes that issue.

Good Fortune Is A Product of Its Time – In the Best Way

Good Fortune clearly draws inspiration from several classic films. You can see echoes of philosophical themes from Wings of Desire, the comedic social commentary of Trading Places, the energetic spirit of My Man Godfrey, and even the moral lessons of Prince and the Pauper. The film feels like a contemporary fable, honestly portraying poverty, homelessness, and the effects of greed and injustice, but with a hopeful and optimistic tone. It allows its imperfect characters to learn and improve through challenges – a modern, slightly edgy take on A Christmas Carol, tailored for our post-pandemic world. The connections to these earlier stories are definitely intentional.

Despite being a comedy, *Good Fortune* tackles serious issues. While filled with humor and playful arguments, the film doesn’t downplay the difficult economic realities facing many Americans after the pandemic, particularly those who are working incredibly hard for low wages. It cleverly critiques the harshness, indifference, and unfair practices of some businesses, as well as the downsides of constantly striving for more – the so-called ‘hustle culture.’ The film includes some truly disturbing moments and images, showing characters struggling with injustice, uncertainty, and the growing divide between the wealthy and those struggling to make ends meet.

Like a classic Dickens novel, the story’s characters are complex and relatable, even the wealthy ones. While the film doesn’t excuse the flaws of its richest characters – Jeff’s selfishness actually starts the main conflict – it still shows their humanity. Similar to stories where people learn empathy by experiencing different lives, Jeff grows as a person after working a low-wage delivery job for the company he once owned. This experience humbles him and helps him understand others. Seth Rogen’s performance makes Jeff likable and down-to-earth, even when he’s at his worst, and his eventual growth and unexpected friendship with Arj and Gabriel are genuinely rewarding.

Good Fortune Eviscerates the Gig Economy With Laughter – And Seriousness

The story avoids portraying struggling characters as idealized or romantic figures. Ansari skillfully portrays Arj’s difficult past, appealing personality, and understandable frustrations, while also acknowledging his flaws. Arj’s enjoyment of his newfound wealth and his occasional selfishness and cynicism make him a realistic character who has the potential to grow as he learns to appreciate his life. Meanwhile, Gabriel, despite his selfless nature and lack of typical flaws, is impulsive and naive. His well-meaning but poorly considered actions cause him to lose his angelic status and force him to mature alongside Arj and Jeff.

Good Fortune explores the stark contrast between wealth and poverty. The film visually separates the worlds of its main characters, Arj and Jeff, using distinct color schemes, music, and even textures. The areas where Arj lives and works – representing the working class – are depicted as gritty and rundown, yet also feel authentic and lived-in, with warmer colors and rougher textures. In contrast, Jeff’s world of wealth – including his mansion, upscale restaurants, and modern offices – is sleek, clean, and cold, dominated by cool tones and smooth surfaces like glass and metal. It feels sterile and lacks warmth. Only towards the end of the film, as hope and understanding grow, do these visual worlds begin to merge.

At just over an hour and forty minutes, *Good Fortune* is shorter than many recent epic films, but it doesn’t feel drawn out. Although the plot occasionally slows down or feels a bit uneven, the movie is ultimately a charming and insightful look at Los Angeles and modern life. It’s both a celebration and a gentle critique, and easily one of the year’s best comedies. Beyond the funny situations and social commentary, it’s simply a joy to watch Keanu Reeves, Aziz Ansari, and Seth Rogen together, sharing simple moments over food.

Good Fortune is in theaters now.

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2025-10-18 06:39