Prime Video added more than 60 new movies to its library in August, and among them is 'Good Fortune,' a comedy that reportedly went under the radar during its theatrical run last year. Written and directed by Aziz Ansari in his directorial debut, the film stars Keanu Reeves in a rare comedic role as Gabriel, a well-meaning but bumbling guardian angel who is bad at his job.
The plot follows Gabriel as he tries to prove to Arj (played by Ansari), a struggling gig worker, that money can't buy happiness. To make his point, Gabriel orchestrates a 'Trading Places'-style swap between Arj and Jeff (Seth Rogen), a wealthy tech bro and venture capitalist who was once Arj's boss. The plan backfires: once Arj experiences how the other half lives, he isn't interested in returning to his old life. Gabriel, already on thin ice with his supervisor (Sandra Oh), gets demoted to Earth for the mishap and must learn what it's like to be human. Keke Palmer also stars as Arj's love interest.
Critical reception has been mixed. One review described the film as 'a promising directorial feature debut' with 'heavenly comedic timing' from Reeves, and Collider's JK Schmidt called it 'a humorous take on familiar concepts buoyed by some amazing performances.' However, Empire Magazine's Sophie Butcher gave it a two-star review, calling it 'an anti-capitalist fable that lets down its star power with an underdeveloped script' and saying its good intentions don't make up for it being 'such a mediocre time at the movies.' One Tom's Guide review echoed some of this critique, noting the film's final act rushes toward a 'milquetoast conclusion' that falls short of its earlier sharp writing, while still recommending it as an enjoyable watch, particularly for fans of Reeves.
Sources differ slightly on the film's Rotten Tomatoes standing: one report cites an 80% audience score and a 79% critics score, while another simply lists the film's Rotten Tomatoes score as 79%. The film has been compared to both 'Trading Places' and 'It's a Wonderful Life.'
'Good Fortune' was highlighted alongside two other Prime Video titles worth streaming this weekend. 'Is God Is,' based on an award-winning stage play, is a Southern Gothic revenge thriller starring Kara Young and Mallori Johnson as twin sisters seeking to avenge their mother, played by Vivica A. Fox, with Sterling K. Brown as their abusive father; it holds a 97% Rotten Tomatoes score. 'Blue Beetle,' a 2023 DC Extended Universe film starring Xolo Maridueña as a young man who bonds with an alien Scarab that gives him superhero powers, holds a 78% Rotten Tomatoes score and was described as a family-focused, endearing entry in the now-retired DCEU.