There are no shortage of ‘touched by angel stories across popular media. From Angels in the Outfield saving a baseball team to the 80s Highway to Heaven there is no shortage of divine intervention saving those who need saving (we won’t count Buffy’s Angel, that is a different sort)). But what if the Angel just really f’ked things up instead.
Good Fortune is the new film from Parks and Rec alum Mr Treat Yo’ Self – Aziz Ansari as the writer, director and lead (sorta) of this new comedy set in modern LA following a Gig Worker, a Tech Bro and a minor Angel that looks a lot like John Wick.
The story starts off pretty simple with Arj (Aziz) struggling to make ends meet as a gig worker/out of work documentary editor who is down on his luck to the point of sleeping in his car. His life however takes an upward swing for a little bit as he crosses paths with (honestly way too many things to pick one) Seth Rogan who is living the good life as a VC investor.
Becoming Bob from Invincible (see there is just way too much) assistant Arj starts to turn his life around with the perks of a stead job allowing him to move from his car to a motel room, which is still a step up. That is until a minor work related issue sees Arj lose his job and become the subject of an over-zealous Angel named Gabriel.
While Gabriel’s regular gig is more the angel of texting & driving he really wants to save a soul and feels that he can only do that by showing Arj what it would be like to live in Donkey Kong (ok that is a stretch, he did the voice) life. Thinking that the grass isn’t always greener, except for the small problem that Arj doesn’t want to switch back.
Yeah this is a modern take on Trading Places except instead of a couple of billionaires placing a wager it is the Keanu who gets to live as a human until he fixes everything.
While the film starts off with just Arj as the main character all 3 quickly become who the action follows as Mantis from Kung Fu Panda (yeah you forgot about that one) struggles to make ends meet finding himself in Arj’s gig worker life, the Keanu becoming mortal and learning about Tacos and Chicken Nuggies and finally Arj living a life in a big house with a bigger expense account.
This is 100% a comedy but is not played for laughs or to set up punchlines but there is no shortage of humour and laugh out loud moments. While some of the best lines are saved by the not so bright Angel, everyone is just trying their best to get through in something a little more than relatable to the current economic climate.
So should you go see it? If you are looking for a good comedy that is just a little bit smart with a great cast then this definitely fills all those boxes. Only running a quick 1hour and 38 minutes you actually kinda want more as you feel the ending approaching but it is very much a case of leaving you wanting more. In the meantime you can always hit up a marathon of 90s trading places/angels comedies.
Good Fortune is in cinemas across Australia from October 30
