Even with Keanu Reeves as a heavenly interloper, ‘Good Fortune’ stumbles with sincerity

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It’s easy to forget how skillfully filmmakers like Billy Wilder and Frank Capra balanced humor with insightful commentary on America. They could effortlessly blend sweetness, satire, and a touch of cynicism, and Wilder, in particular, often managed to create truly heartwarming conclusions.

Aziz Ansari’s first time writing and directing a feature film, “Good Fortune,” aims for a funny and honest look at modern life. Starring alongside Seth Rogen and Keanu Reeves (playing an angel named Gabriel), the film tackles important issues like the growing gap between rich and poor, the struggles of those working in the gig economy, and how disconnected the wealthy often are from the people who contribute to their success. It’s a film that wants to challenge the ultra-rich and champion the underdog, with a little help from Keanu Reeves.

Kumail Nanjiani’s film is a charming story set in Los Angeles that blends the sweetness of films like “Heaven Can Wait” with the humor of body-swap comedies like “Trading Places.” While it’s pleasant and has genuinely funny moments, it struggles to balance its lightheartedness with any real bite. It’s a kind, funny movie with a good heart, but it lacks the edge needed to truly make an impact.

Movies

I recently saw the premiere of Aziz Ansari’s first feature film at TIFF, and it’s amazing! I had a chance to hear him talk about the whole journey of making it – it was a really interesting process. Plus, Keanu Reeves and Seth Rogen are in it, which is pretty awesome!

Aziz Ansari stars as Arj, a man whose life doesn’t match his ambitions. He dreams of being a Hollywood film editor but is stuck doing odd jobs and living out of his car. A garage-cleaning gig for wealthy venture capitalist Jeff Rogen leads to an assistant position, giving Arj a glimmer of stability. He feels comfortable enough to treat a coworker, Elena (played by Keke Palmer, who doesn’t have enough screen time), to a nice dinner using the company card. However, Jeff quickly notices the charge – a surprisingly realistic detail about how careful wealthy people are with their money – and immediately fires Arj.

Throughout the story, Arj’s difficult circumstances have resonated with Gabriel, a compassionate guardian angel who usually handles minor issues like nudging inattentive drivers. Gabriel reports to his boss, Martha, and feels undervalued. He hopes to help Arj realize that wealth isn’t everything, perhaps even switching their lives temporarily. However, Arj quickly embraces his newfound luxury and doesn’t want to return to his old life – a decision he ultimately gets to make. This leaves Gabriel, overwhelmed by the situation, trying to convince a newly wealthy Arj why being poor was better.

Entertainment & Arts

The movie “Good Fortune” cleverly captures the spirit of classic screwball comedies, poking fun at the wealthy during the Depression. However, it doesn’t quite succeed in balancing its humor with a satisfying resolution. While it’s amusing to see Seth Rogen’s character facing embarrassing setbacks, the film’s attempts at heartfelt change – and its somewhat unrealistic ending – feel forced. Unlike those older comedies, which simply offered lighthearted entertainment and a sweet romance, “Good Fortune” tries to address deeper issues. Aziz Ansari’s ambition is commendable, but he’s more skilled at identifying problems than finding solutions.

Keanu Reeves delivers a standout performance as a naively optimistic character, breathing life into what could have been a simple internet joke and becoming the emotional core of the film. The movie playfully explores how difficult it can be to do good and even harder to understand people. A particularly charming scene—Reeves experiencing the joy of a first bite of a burger—perfectly captures the film’s heartwarming message about appreciating life’s simple pleasures.

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2025-10-17 22:31