Alex Reviews "Good Fortune"

Good Fortune leans heavily into the lesson of amor fati every way it can. It doesn’t matter if it’s a gig worker, a venture capitalist, or an angel. Similar to the most parodied Christmas movie of all time, Good Fortune plays with alternate reality as much as it entertains and preaches, but the preaching is subtle. It covers new ground from the approach taken by It’s a Wonderful Life. The question is whether the audience has seen enough of this trope or if the view change to daily struggle in a broken economy is enough for the people to embrace Aziz Ansari’s new film.

Before we get into the picture, I have to ask a question. Has Hollywood decided the flow chart for playing a VC in every movie goes as: if he gets laughed at, hire Seth Rogen? Zero issue with it on my side as Rogen is at his goofy best. His relatability remains an asset as he provides a good bit of humor while being a surprising source of heart for Good Fortune. Rogen may be polarizing to some and we definitely know his laugh is, but he has absolutely cornered the market on “awkward rich” characters that make the audience chuckle, shake their heads, and enjoy the ride.

It is interesting how a story about grand wealth, whether it by awkward or not, can feel so organically grassroots. It is even more surprising when you see the level of talent involved on what is a parallel to an independent picture prior to Lionsgate involvement. Aziz Ansari (Parks and Recreation) has crafted an incredible story and shot the picture in an intimate style befitting the street level struggle and low scale intensity. The shooting in particular comes across doubly fitting as it brings the audience close enough to feel for the characters and their endless quips with massive heart mixed in. The narrative never lags and maintains its snap throughout. If it seems like I am stalling, I am because I am not a fan of negative, but it would be disingenuous to not cover that while he was masterful with everything else, I had difficulty with Ansari’s performance. For an individual representing rock bottom, it felt more like a cosplay than a genuine struggle at times. Not without effort because you can feel his care for the film particularly in his scenes with Keke Palmer and his father, but real experience in the struggle made him feel disconnected.

However! There is a performance that I both expected and was still amazed with during Good Fortune. Keanu Reeves is an international treasure. This is possibly his most endearing character while also being willing to not be too serious. Reeves is uproariously hilarious as an inept angel. His natural positivity plays perfectly with the amor fati undertones of loving your fate. I am unsure if there is another actor who could have embodied Gabriel and elevated the picture as much as Reeves does.

Good Fortune is heartwarming and hilarious while also being poignant about the current state of things for people in the grind. It is sweet and thoughtful while being able to bring humor to every part of life it shines the light onto. For those of us with a permanent pass on the struggle bus, Good Fortune offers hope and perspective with its unending laughs.  Good Fortune should absolutely be seen in theaters with as many people as possible on October 17, because that is the best way for comedy and community which the film has waiting for audiences.