Good Fortune (M) – 97 minutes

The angel business is far from straight forward, at least not for Gabriel (Keanu Reeves), who is low down in the angel hierarchy.

He is responsible for trying to save those distracted by their mobile phones while driving.

But he would rather be doing something that he considers more meaningful.

He aspires to save lost souls.

So, he approaches the angel manager, Martha (Sandra Oh).

She tells him to stick to his duties because to save a soul he must first find one that is lost and that is not easy.

Mind you, Gabriel maintains that he has is keeping an eye on just such a person in Arj (Aziz Ansari).

Broke and sleeping in his car, Arj is a hired hand, who undertakes a variety of tasks for money via an app known as Task Sergeant.

That includes lining up for a client for two hours to secure sought after moreish cinnamon buns.

An investor in that highly successful enterprise is ultrawealthy businessman Jeff (Seth Rogen).

Jeff engages Arj to reorganise his messy, overcrowded indoor garage.

Jeff reveals that he recently lost his assistant and Arj talks him around to giving him a trial run in that role for a week.

To cut the chase, with angel Gabriel intent on changing Arj’s fortunes, he orchestrates it so that Jeff and Arj switch places. 

Suddenly, Arj is uber wealthy. Jeff’s home becomes Arj’s home and vice versa.

What could possibly go wrong? Plenty.

At the same time, Arj is trying to juggle satisfying his new girlfriend, Elena (Keke Palmer), a fellow worker at the hardware store where both work.

Like Arj, she too is from working class stock and aspires to starting a union to deliver workers better conditions.

But when Arj becomes wealthy overnight, they are no longer in sync.

Written and directed by Aziz Ansari, Good Fortune is a funny, silly, feel-good romp.

In short, it is a light-hearted nonsense with a gooey centre.

Ansari is a very natural comedian with a likeable everyman touch.

He carries the role he created for himself effortlessly, without arrogance or pretence.

There is a lot to like too about Seth Rogen, as his aspirational foil, who grows through the bizarre experience of switching personas.

Rogen transitions well from consumer-driven to down and out.

I also appreciate the all-at-sea characterisation of an angel by Keanu Reeves. He is just so awkward and needy.

Keke Palmer presents as a credible moral crusader with a kind heart.

The one liners and sight gags are what make Good Fortune such an enjoyable watch.

With no shortage of twists and turns, the movie hangs together well and puts a smile on your face.

It is a good film to see if your own life has its fair share of challenges.

Good Fortune is charming and buoyant.

Rated M, it scores a 7 ½ out of 10.