Good Fortune and all the images you see in this review are owned by Lionsgate
Directed by Aziz Ansari
Catch-up month continues as I dutifully ignore new releases until I feel I’ve seen enough of 2025 to make my year-end lists, and while this comedy may have some big name stars involved, you’d be forgiven if it slipped past you as it did me. I knew it was coming out and had every intention to make a pilgrimage to my local multiplex, but I just never got around to it and had to wait for the inevitable VOD release. A sad fate that many movies have had to endure, but should I be truly repentant for missing its theatrical run, or was it always destined to be a better watch in the comfort of our homes? Let’s find out!!
In the heart of Los Angeles, whose name turns out to be much more literal than previously thought, a down on his luck guy named Arj (Aziz Ansari) catches the eye of Gabriel (Keanu Reeves); a lower Angel who typically only helps people who are texting and driving but sees something in Arj that needs fixing. He’s living out of his car, he’s running around the city doing crappy jobs, and while he likes the woman at the hardware store who’s trying to start a union (Keke Palmer), he can barely afford food for himself; much less a date where both parties would be expected to eat. After a particularly rough day where he is unceremoniously fired by tech bro Jeff (Seth Rogan) from the only good job he had, Gabriel tries to intervene and show Arj what makes his life worth living. It doesn’t quite go according to plan, however, as it turns out that Arj’s life isn’t going to get much better than it is now, and things only get worse when Gabriel has the bright idea to do what is known as a Switch-A-Rooney where he makes Arj and Jeff switch places. Not a bad trade for Arj all things considered, but Jeff isn’t too happy about it and Gabriel’s boss (Sandra Oh) is less than thrilled at his loose-cannon behavior. Will this new life for Arj prove to be more of a curse than a gift, which is what Gabriel was trying to prove in the first place? Can Jeff survive the horrors of hustle culture and perhaps learn a little something about himself in the process? Seriously, what was Gabriel’s plan when he gave Arj everything he could ever want? Unless Jeff was about to be indicted or assassinated, it’s hard to see much of a downside.
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