#REVIEW: “GOOD FORTUNE”

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Many films have been told about taking down the upper-class, or eating the rich. There’s also been many body/life switching films made. But there hasn’t really been a film that’s merged these two worlds. With Good Fortune, Aziz Ansari asks, “Why eat the rich when you can BE the rich?” And that’s how he’s written and directed a film about today’s classism while delivering on the comedy.

Gig worker Arj (Ansari) can’t catch a break. He lives in his car. People give him one star reviews for situations out of his control. He gets fired from his one non-gig job. And to top it all off, his car/home get’s towed. That’s when his inept guardian angel Gabriel (Keanu Reeves) shows up to help him. Gabriel wants Arj to see that the life he currently has, is worth living. So he switches Arj’s life with wealthy venture capitalist Jeff’s (Seth Rogen). However, Gabriel realizes his test might not go the way he thought when Arj lavishes the life of luxury.

The space between the upper and lower classes in North America has never been wider. Ansari runs with this theme and places Arj and Jeff on either end. Audiences immediately feel for the down-on-his-luck Arj. A person with a university degree that can’t get a well paying job in today’s economy. While we see Jeff as the accumulation of what we expect of the top 1%. Although, the pure intelligence of casting Rogen allows audiences to still feel for him. Especially when he wants to get his luxurious life back. Both actors bounce off each other effortlessly. It’s two well-known comedic actors doing what they do best.

That being said, it’s really Reeves‘ who garners the most laughs. Ansari and Rogen’s characters are grounded in wanting their lives back. While Reeve’s Gabriel is an amateur in this role of guardian angel. If you can believe it, there’s even a class system for the angels. Gabriel was the lowest-ranking angel. He looked after those who text and drove. Placing a hand on their shoulder to save them from their impending doom. But now, he’s given himself a promotion.

The most interesting storyline is Gabriel’s. When head angel Martha (a hilarious Sandra Oh) finds out what he’s done, she won’t help him get out of the hole he’s created. This leads to Gabriel having to live in the human world. Learning the lessons that both Arj and Jeff are. Reeves gives an incredible deadpan comedic performance as this inept angel learning about humanity. He delivers one of the funniest monologues of the year about the joys of petting a dog that is worth the price of admission alone.

Overall, Good Fortune is an entertaining time at the cinema with three comedic talents that are doing what they do best. The lesson learned is a familiar sappy one that we saw coming from the start, however, the journey to getting there is a joyride.

Cineplex Pictures releases GOOD FORTUNE on Friday, October 17, 2025.