Good Fortune has big laughs and a big heart to match. The wealth inequality crisis isn’t the most fun thing to think about, but the film adds levity to the dire situation that we desperately need.

The American Dream is dead. The rich become richer and the poor become poorer, and social mobility is a farce. That is essentially where we start in Good Fortune, a very real situation many Americans are in right now. Despite the bleak start to the film, it is somehow able to mix in hilarious moments and emotional situations that make it a delightful and meaningful watch. The highlight of the film is the chemistry between the actors and the well-written script. Writer, director, and star Aziz Ansari manages to make statements without being preachy and be relevant without being corny. He also blends in the angel aspect easily by keeping their aesthetic clean and simple. This high-concept comedy is a love letter to Los Angeles, which is the perfect place where the themes of the Good Fortune intersect.

Having a guardian angel seems like a blessing, unless your guardian angel is Gabriel (Keanu Reeves), who is in charge of saving humans from texting and driving mishaps. He becomes jealous whenever one of his angel management coworkers is talking about his successful suicide save. He wants to save a lost soul as well, and he sets his sights on Arj (Ansari). Arj is a former editor who works multiple jobs to make ends meet. He works at a hardware store with his crush Elena (Keke Palmer), who wants to unionize the employees at the store. He makes extra money with Task Sergeant by doing tasks such as waiting in line for baked goods from There Will Be Buns (a well-timed PTA reference), delivering food, and fixing household problems. Despite his constant grind, he’s in debt, can’t afford to live in an apartment, and he sleeps in his car. In comparison, Seth Rogen plays Jeff, a venture capitalist whose biggest struggle is picking out a watch and switching between his sauna and his cold plunge. Their worlds collide whenever Jeff hires Arj to organize his garage because he doesn’t currently have an assistant. Arj pitches himself to Jeff to become his assistant, and after a trial run, he is hired. All is well until a suggestion from Jeff about his date with Elena causes Arj to put the bill on Jeff’s credit card. He apologizes with a plan to pay him back, but is swiftly fired. He’s at the lowest he’s ever been, which is when Gabriel pounces. He tries to show Arj his life is worth living, but it backfires whenever he switches Jeff and Arj’s lives.

The best thing that the film shows is that having more money does make 99% of your problems go away. The richer the person, the easier the job, the better the life. Jeff’s life is magical and doesn’t require much talent or brains to continue his success. Thankfully, Ansari had the awareness to make that a part of the story, which allowed it to become more emotionally focused. One of the rules of the switch around was that nobody from Arj’s life remembers their connection with him, even his father. Elena and Arj don’t meet organically at the store, and instead, he seeks her out when he has money. Rather than make it seem like the problems of the rich are so overwhelming, Ansari focuses on how Arj has lost relationships and friendships that matter by staying in Jeff’s place. He may be having a fun time, but he lacks any genuine connection in Jeff’s life.

Ansari is awesome as Arj. He feels real and relatable, and even if most people haven’t been exactly in Arj’s position, we are all closer to it than we are to Jeff’s. He is a bit of a pessimist, which is one thing he must overcome as the story progresses. Watching life kick him in the ass is terrible, so it feels exulting whenever he gets to have some fun in Jeff’s life. One great thing about the script is how much it emphasizes that switching back lives isn’t something that can be done easily, but it has to be his choice, his pure desire. It gives Arj the most power in the film.

Elena is more than just a love interest for Arj; she’s an inspiration. She’s an optimist, which is what Arj needs. Her drive to unionize the hardware store is admirable. She tries to rally support, and it fails after a vote, but she’s determined to keep fighting for what’s best for the workers. Casting Palmer was a stroke of genius. She feels like she could be your best friend, that she would genuinely support you in all your endeavors. It’s easy to see why Arj pursues her even as he takes over Jeff’s life. She’s a joy, and her inherent positive attitude makes Arj want to be a better person.

Jeff gets a major dose of reality whenever he has to live his life like Arj does. He sees how unfair life can be, particularly for those without means. Even if he did everything right, like picking up an order on time and waiting in line for buns, there are circumstances that make it so that the customer isn’t happy, and they take their frustration out on him. He spirals the most out of every character in the film. That being said, he takes what he’s experienced into consideration at the end of the film, having actually learned his lesson. Seth Rogen is excellent at playing this entitled, bratty character.

Keanu Reeves was the secret sauce of the film and the most believable person to cast to play an angel. He originally seemed like he was just going to be a side character to facilitate the growth of Arj and Jeff, but the film is actually more like a three-hander. He was feeling insignificant in his job, his wings tinier than the rest of his angel friends to show how little responsibility he has. His desire to save a lost soul caused more chaos in the world, and he neglected his texting and driving job. His role in heaven might’ve been small, but it was important nonetheless. Eventually, there are not only ramifications on the world, but on him personally. He thought he was the lowest he could get, but he fell even further. Although when he spends time with Jeff and Arj, he comes to appreciate what humanity has to offer, both the highs, like tacos and dancing, but also the lows, like chain smoking and being disappointed in your paycheck.

Good Fortune has big laughs and a big heart to match. The wealth inequality crisis isn’t the most fun thing to think about, but the film adds levity to the dire situation that we desperately need. I was concerned about how Ansari was going to stick the landing, considering the massive low in life that Arj would be returning to, but he finds success with a message of hope. All everybody actually wants is safety, security, and connection. Although the glamorous life of the ultra-rich can be fun, it doesn’t automatically equate to living a good life of dignity and love. We must fight to better our lives, all lives, in order to create a better world.

Grade: A-

Oscars Prospects:
Likely: None
Should Be Considered: None

Where to Watch: On Demand