It’s more hit than miss. Comedian, actor and writer Aziz Ansari steps behind the camera to direct and star in his first feature. Of course having an ensemble that includes Seth Rogen and Keanu Reeves doesn’t hurt one bit.
For the most part, Good Fortune is a series of comedic bits along with social commentary. The descriptive word that sums up this moderately paced story is likable. Most likable of all is Keanu Reeves, the Angel who gets to experience what it is to be human. His wide smile still lights up every scene. Even the one-time master of bad-taste, Seth Rogen, comes across with an affable, genial demeanor even when he’s supposedly being mean. Keke Palmer also keeps a lid on her impetuous impulses and is, yes, likable, as a union organizer at the store where she works. But she is definitely more calmly underused in this film.
Aziz plays Arj, a college grad who can’t catch a break. He wants to edit documentary films, but is forced into the gig economy, delivering meals and doing whatever “Taskrabbit Handywork” can get for him. Living out of his car, working non-stop and getting humiliated at every turn, he declares “The American Dream is Dead”.To make his point that American society today is rife with wealth inequality, this film contrasts Arj’s miserable existence with venture capitalist Jeff (Seth Rogen) who’s biggest daily challenge is taking an ice plunge before warming up in his sauna.
Observing it all is a low ranked Angel named Gabriel (Keanu Reeves). He sports tiny wings and his only function is to nudge drivers who are texting while driving to avert accidents by paying attention. When he sees frustrated Arj at the end of his rope, Gabriel decides it’s time to do something more important and intervene, despite warnings from his Boss Angel Martha (Sandra Oh underused here). Gabriel wants to enlighten Arj and make him see that just being rich doesn’t ensure happiness.
Overtones of similar movie themes from Trading Places to Freaky Friday abound. When Arj begins working for Jeff as a personal assistant all seems headed in the right direction until Arj uses Jeff’s credit card to buy his potential love interest Elena (Keke Palmer) a fancy dinner. Jeff is outraged and fires him on the spot. But to try to teach them both a lesson, Gabriel steps in and swaps Arj and Jeff’s lives.
Somehow Gabriel is surprised when Arj, now living in the lap of luxury doesn’t want to swap back with Jeff who’s now schlepping meals, living in the car and getting lousy business reviews on social media. Angel supervisor, Martha, fires Gabriel, takes his wings and making him human, poor and equally as miserable as Jeff. But Jeff takes Gabriel under his wing and one of the best scenes in the film is when they go to a fast food place where Gabriel gets to bite into a burger and chicken “nuggies,” and wash it down with a celestial grade milk shake for the very first time.
There have been questions about Ansari’s mindset regarding the issues of class consciousness in this film given that he chose to perform at the Saudi government’s Riyadh Comedy Festival. Is getting a payday from the Saudis a good move for a guy who supposedly speaks for the little guy?
Though not great, Good Fortune has some laughs and is worth your time just to watch Keanu Reeves as a cute but clueless, congenial celestial. Watching him chow down on a burger, shake and chicken “nuggie” might be as close as we all come to heaven.
Lionsgate 1 Hour 38 Minutes R
