In Writer and Director Aziz Ansari’s Good Fortune, Keanu Reeves plays Angel Gabriel, who body swaps unemployed homeless Arj, played by Aziz Ansari, with wealthy venture capitalist Jeff, played by Seth Rogen, to teach Arj that money can’t buy happiness. Gabriel is the Angel who prevents texting drivers from getting into car accidents. Whimsically wise Sandra Oh plays Angel Manager Martha.
In helping Arj, Gabriel is out of his Angel Lane trying to rescue a lost soul. In Gabriel’s chagrin, Arj discovers that money can buy happiness for the most part.
Gabriel said, “I tried to show him (Arj) that wealth wouldn’t solve all of his problems.”
Martha asked. “And?”
Gabriel replied, “It seems to have solved most of his problems.”
Well, that’s kind of the no brainer. That’s the novel conceit of Aziz Ansari’s Good Fortune. Although that narrative of living someone else’s life to appreciate one’s own life has been played before. Still, Director Aziz’s catharsis refreshingly isn’t trite. Of course, it’s better to be rich, live in a hillside mansion, and own Porches that you can’t drive, because you can’t drive stick.
Seth Rogen’s earnest empathy in Jeff, who initially reveals as the entitled asshole, transforms Good Fortune into the meaningful allegory. Partnered with Keanu Reeve’s authentic radiant innocence in Angel Gabriel, who tries to correct his tragic failure, albeit with good intentions, in Good Fortune, whether rich or poor, life is about the people you get to share it with. Maybe money can manufacture happiness. Yet, the people you love make life worth living, make life meaningful. That theme makes up for most of Aziz Ansari’s clumsy narrative stumbles.
Arj is the Documentary Film Editing graduate, who works for a hardware chain store similar to Home Depot. Arj is homeless, sleeping in his car. He makes ends meet with side jobs like waiting in line for food for clients. He’s in love with co-worker Elena, played by beautiful smart Kiki Palmer, who wants to form a union to raise the standard of living for her fellow workers.
In his handyman job, Arj cleans up and organizes Jeff’s garage in Bel Aire, I think. Arj convinces Jeff to hire him on a trial basis as his personal assistant. Jeff gives Arj a company credit card. Trying to impress Elena on their date, Arj uses the company credit card to pay for their dinner. Jeff gets the bank statement and fires Arj.
Meanwhile, Grabriel observes Arj’s life from above. In his poverty abyss, Gabriel switches Arj and Jeff’s lives. Arj still looks like Arj, but has Jeff’s life. He’s rich. Jeff still looks like Jeff, but has Arj’s life. He’s poor. Fortunately, Gabriel gives back Jeff’s memory as rich Jeff. Flowers to Writer Aziz Ansari’s brute force plot device. Self aware Jeff hates Arj’s Jeff. Jeff wants his life back.
Here’s the tragic catch: Arj must see hope in his life and truly want to go back to his life so that Jeff can go back to his. But Arj is rich. So, he’s good where he is. Martha takes away Grabriel’s wings for the mess he created. No longer an Angel, Gabriel is human. He becomes the dishwasher at an all you can eat Korean Barbeque place. He loves tacos and chicken nuggies.
Director Aziz Ansari miscalculates in Good Fortune‘s narrative tone. Apparently, Arj might not be the good man that we thought he was. Aziz Ansari plays Arj as he devolves into the selfish liar, who wants to steal Jeff’s life. Conversely, Seth Rogen as Jeff living Arj’s life, is the good man, who learns empathy and humility. He’s profoundly humbled. Jeff’s friendship with Keanu Reeves’s Gabriel is humorously sublime. Jeff teaches Gabriel to be human. Gabriel teaches Jeff to be kind.
In the poignant narrative arc, Gabriel tells Arj that the best thing about being human are “dancing and tacos”. He apologizes for being such a bad guardian angel. However, Arj tells Gabriel that he’s the best guardian angel for him. They love each other. It’s all about love.
Good fortune can be having a lot of money. Still, what gives life value, what gives life meaning is sharing life with those who love and believe in you. That’s true good fortune. That’s what makes Good Fortune something special.
