The Wasteland Reviewer

Good Fortune (2025) Written Review

How important is money when it comes to happiness? This is quite the debate amongst people. There are certainly people who live by the mantra that wealth can indeed buy happiness because it alleviates so much of the stress in our lives. Others don’t believe that money can just wish away all the unhappiness inside yourself. But there is something to say that a lack of money is one of the most stressful things that can occur to someone. When you don’t have enough money to take care of your basic needs, then you cannot focus on anything else. Good Fortune finds Aziz Ansari exploring the idea of a guardian angel switching the lives of a struggling man and a filthy rich man. 

How does Ansari bring this compelling concept to life on screen? This is a sharply directed film that has a sleek and crisp feel to it. This might not be the most artful looking film, but it is the care and detail that give the film a specific type of feeling. Ansari can give the film a bit of a cinematic feel. Good Fortune has a sleek, Hollywood feeling that matches its LA vibes and setting. There are some inspired camera choices and blocking coming from cinematographer Adam Newport-Berra. The way that the camera moves around captures the voyeuristic nature of Keanu Reeves’ angel, Gabriel, which is significant to the overall experience of the film. The camera moves around in an engaging way and captures the energy that Ansari injects into the film. The pacing is strong, overall, even if there are a few stretches that feel a tad long in the tooth. The mixture of Carter Burwell’s score and the needle drops give Good Fortune plenty of personality as well. 

Does Ansari deliver a script that is engaging and thoughtful regarding the significant themes it is exploring? One of the hardest things to shake watching the film is the fact that the filmmaker feels a bit out of touch when it comes to what everyday life is like. The film also never digs deep enough into these ideas to offer up something substantive. Sure, the film navigates the daily struggles of everyday folks and how quickly you can get over your head, but it does it in such a blunt way with plenty of broad strokes. This slight oversimplification takes away from the overall impact of the film. But there are plenty of hilarious gags and bits of dialogue that will deliver the laughs. Each of the main characters is engaging too with Gabriel going on the most interesting and engaging journey along the way. There are a few speeches in the film that explore the themes of the film well. This is not the tightest or most focused script (balancing all three of the film’s leads) but there is plenty to enjoy and appreciate along the way. 

What is the biggest asset for the film? The cast. Reeves is by far the biggest standout in the whole film. His silent moments of reflection and observation speak volumes. His line deliveries and comedic timing are unmatched. The overall tenderness and authenticity of his performance give the film plenty of heart and soul. Reeves steals the show for sure. Ansari gives himself and Seth Rogen the space to lean into their strengths and deliver plenty of humor and laughs along the way. They also have some moments of solid emotion too along with their comedic expression. Keke Palmer is the love interest of Ansari’s character, and she is quite the scene stealer as well. Palmer has a unique presence, approach to humor, and charisma that makes her feel like an essential piece of the Good Fortune puzzle. Sandra Oh gives some good moments of wisdom along the way as well. Special shoutout to Felipe Garcia Martinez who is a real MVP in the film who gives some of the most genuine moments in the film. 

Is Good Fortune a biting satire on wealth and wealth disparity? Ansari has crafted an engaging film, but it does not quite have the bite to be as sharp as it could have been. Playing a bit safe and surface level does blunt the bite of the satire quite a bit. But there is plenty of charm and humor to make Good Fortune such an engaging experience. The cast (especially Reeves) makes the experience so enjoyable and fun. The message might pack as big of a punch when coming from such a place of privilege, but Good Fortune has a good heart and something to say.