Good Fortune Is an Amiable Comedy With Bite

by

It’s rare to find truly delightful movies these days, so we often appreciate even small moments of enjoyment. Aziz Ansari’s first film as director, writer, and star, *Good Fortune*, might feel a bit patchwork, but it offers plenty of genuinely cheerful scenes. Like the earlier surprise hit *One of Them Days*, *Good Fortune* bravely tackles a significant issue: the fact that many people are overworked and underpaid while the wealthy continue to accumulate more money, seemingly without concern for others. The film manages to be both lighthearted and funny, avoiding the feel of a dry lecture. *Good Fortune* is pleasant and engaging, but it also isn’t afraid to offer some pointed commentary.

Kumail Nanjiani plays Arj, a Los Angeles editor struggling to make ends meet and currently living out of his car. He survives by taking on odd jobs – one moment he’s building furniture, the next he’s running errands for wealthy people. He also works part-time at a large hardware store, where he meets Elena (played by the energetic Keke Palmer, who also stars in *One of Them Days*). Elena is a talented furniture maker and is working to organize a union for her fellow employees.

Arj is an ordinary person just trying to live his life. Unbeknownst to him, a team of guardian angels is watching over humanity, including Gabriel, played by Keanu Reeves. Gabriel observes people from above, similar to the angels in the film *Wings of Desire*. As a newer angel – still earning his full wings – Gabriel’s job is to prevent accidents caused by distracted driving. We see him subtly intervening, gently touching drivers who are texting behind the wheel. The film *Good Fortune* perfectly utilizes Reeves’ natural charisma and ability to connect with audiences.

I have to say, Gabriel’s job as an angel in LA seemed pretty good – helping people, you know? But he felt frustrated, like he wasn’t really *changing* things for the better. He went to his boss, Martha (Sandra Oh, looking fantastic!), hoping for a more impactful assignment, but she said no. So, he took a huge risk and decided to really intervene in one person’s life – a guy named Arj. Arj had this crazy stroke of luck landing a job with a wealthy tech guy, Jeff (Seth Rogen), but then quickly messed up and got fired. That’s when Gabriel stepped in, using some angelic powers to switch their lives for two weeks. The idea was that Arj would experience wealth and realize it doesn’t bring happiness, and happily go back to his old life. It’s a pretty bold plan, right?

As you might expect, that’s not what happens in the movie. It acknowledges, like we all do, that the idea that “money can’t buy happiness” is mostly untrue. Martha takes away Gabriel’s powers, and suddenly he’s working as a dishwasher at a Korean buffet, just trying to earn a living like everyone else.

I really enjoyed Aziz Ansari’s *Good Fortune*. Like his earlier film *One of Them Days*, it tackles some real issues, but it does so without feeling preachy or boring. The movie centers around Seth Rogen’s character, Jeff, who suddenly has to experience what it’s like to actually *work* after stepping into the shoes of Arj. It’s funny watching him struggle – he’s used to a different life, and now he’s taking food orders from people who used to be in his position. It’s a great way to show him, and us, what things are like for others. Ansari keeps things mostly light, but he doesn’t shy away from pointing out the downsides of the gig economy – like the fact that anyone shouldn’t have to resort to peeing in a bottle just to keep their delivery job. But it’s not all serious; he also highlights the little joys in life. Jeff and Gabriel team up to make their lives a bit better, and there’s a fantastic scene where Jeff introduces Gabriel to the simple pleasure of hamburgers and milkshakes. Honestly, Gabriel’s face when he tries a chicken nugget for the first time? Pure magic. It’s a small moment, but it feels genuinely uplifting – and who couldn’t use a little bit of that?

Hasan Minhaj’s new film, *Good Fortune*, is a delightful first effort, but it’s overshadowed by his decision to perform at a comedy festival sponsored by the Saudi Arabian government. Minhaj has tried to justify taking money from a country with a poor human rights record, even offering to donate his earnings to organizations like Human Rights Watch. However, Human Rights Watch has stated they won’t accept donations from performers who participated in the festival. This makes it difficult to fully enjoy Minhaj’s performance in *Good Fortune*; it feels somewhat disappointing. Despite this, the film is so genuinely heartwarming that it leaves you hoping he’s ultimately a good person who simply made a mistake. Perhaps the most important thing is what he does next. At least he acknowledges the basic dignity of workers, recognizing it’s unacceptable for anyone to be forced to urinate in a bottle.

Read More

2025-10-17 23:06