**Good Fortune**: Aziz Ansari’s Directorial Debut Offers Humor, Heart, and a Modern Take on Luck and Wealth
"Good Fortune," the new comedy from Lionsgate, marks a significant return for Aziz Ansari—not just as a leading actor but also as a writer and director. Featuring a star-studded cast including Seth Rogen, Keanu Reeves, and Keke Palmer, the film is now playing in theaters and offers a witty, heartfelt exploration of the age-old question: Can money buy happiness? Set in contemporary Los Angeles, "Good Fortune" uses its comedic lens to examine class divides, the struggle for meaning, and the search for connection in a gig economy world.
**A Struggling Everyman in a Gig Economy**
At the heart of "Good Fortune" is Arj, played by Ansari, a freelance documentary editor barely scraping by in Los Angeles. Arj’s life is a constant hustle: he sleeps in his car, works part-time at a hardware store called Hardware Heaven, and picks up odd jobs as a "task sergeant" through a gig app. His existence is precarious and dependent on tips and five-star ratings, with every small misstep threatening his ability to survive. The film paints a vivid picture of the pressures and insecurities faced by many in today’s gig economy—a world where job security is a luxury and dignity often feels out of reach.
Arj’s fortunes seem to change when he lands a job organizing the garage of Jeff (Seth Rogen), a wealthy tech venture capitalist living in the Hollywood Hills. Arj seizes the opportunity to become Jeff’s assistant, but his luck is short-lived. After making an honest mistake, Arj is fired, reinforcing the precariousness of his position and the gulf between the haves and have-nots.
**A Celestial Twist: The Angelic Bureaucracy**
While Arj’s struggles ground the film in the realities of economic hardship, "Good Fortune" introduces a whimsical supernatural element through Gabriel (Keanu Reeves), an unfulfilled guardian angel. Gabriel’s celestial job is uninspiring—his main task is saving people from texting while driving, and his tiny wings mark his low status among angels. He envies his colleague Azrael (Stephen McKinley Henderson), who enjoys the prestige of saving lost souls and sports large, impressive wings—a status symbol in the afterlife bureaucracy.
Gabriel’s path crosses Arj’s when he saves him from a near-accident. Noticing a text that suggests Arj is close to giving up on life, Gabriel feels compelled to intervene further, despite warnings from his boss Martha (Sandra Oh) to stay within his assigned duties. This sets off a chain of events that brings the film’s magical premise to life.
**A Life-Altering Swap**
With Arj at his lowest point, Gabriel reveals himself and attempts to show Arj a series of possible futures—none of which are particularly appealing. Faced with the prospect of a bleak existence as a delivery driver, living in overcrowded housing and unable to afford veterinary care for his sick dog, Arj is desperate for a way out.
Gabriel offers Arj an extraordinary opportunity: to swap lives with Jeff, the wealthy venture capitalist, for a week. Although Gabriel warns that Jeff’s life is not as perfect as it seems, Arj quickly discovers the perks of wealth—lavish pool parties, gourmet dinners, and, ironically, having Jeff as his own assistant, stripped of any memory of his previous identity. The taste of luxury is intoxicating, and Arj’s initial skepticism about the value of money quickly fades.
**Consequences and Complications**
Gabriel’s intervention does not go unnoticed. Martha, furious at Gabriel for overstepping his boundaries, punishes him by taking away his wings. She tells him he can only earn them back if Arj willingly returns to his old life. This celestial dilemma adds urgency to Gabriel’s mission, as he tries to undo the unintended consequences of the life swap.
Meanwhile, the real Jeff—upon regaining his memories—feels betrayed and furious that Arj has taken over his life. Arj, in turn, challenges Jeff to see if he can survive living as Arj did, setting up a comedic (and somewhat poignant) contest of endurance and empathy. Gabriel negotiates a temporary extension, allowing Arj to continue living Jeff’s privileged lifestyle for a few more days, but as expected