Keanu Reeves portrays a well-meaning yet inept guardian angel, bringing humor and charm to "Good Fortune."
In the upcoming comedy Good Fortune, out October 17, Keanu Reeves stars as Gabriel, a guardian angel tasked with protecting distracted texters but who grows bored and begins meddling in human lives. Aziz Ansari, who wrote, directed, and stars in the film, explores Gabriel’s fall from grace when he loses his powers for interfering with the fate of gig worker Arj (Ansari) and venture capitalist Jeff (Seth Rogen).
The movie delves into themes of divine intervention with a unique twist, presenting an angel who is far from flawless and embarks on a personal journey to understand humanity. This fresh approach stands in contrast to traditional portrayals of angels as benevolent beings.
Drawing Inspiration from Classic Films and Keanu Reeves’ Past Comedic Roles
Ansari reveals that Good Fortune draws elements from classics like It’s a Wonderful Life and A Matter of Life and Death while giving the angelcharacter a humorous and flawed personality. Reeves’ previous comedic work, notably as Ted in the Bill & Ted franchise, served as a foundation for Gabriel’s character. Ansari recalls,
“Before we met, I did a little Keanu film festival,”
adding to Reeves,
“Just seeing little things you were doing in that, it felt like we could take some of your big comedic strengths and put it into Gabriel.”
Reeves responded,
“That in itself gave me a clear path to the character.”
Los Angeles Shapes the Film’s Setting and Themes
The setting of Los Angeles emerges as a vivid backdrop, reflecting both the city’s beauty and its social issues. Ansari emphasizes L.A.’s role beyond just scenery, highlighting its gig economy, the rise of delivery robots, gentrification, homelessness, and the housing crisis as key themes. Reeves notes the duality of the city, saying,
Image of: Keanu Reeves
“Gabriel’s a little sad, so it’s that juxtaposition that you sometimes get in L.A., which is: You’re kinda sad, but because of the sunlight and the sunshine, you’re happy.”
Unconventionally Small Angel Wings Reinforce Gabriel’s Struggles
The guardian angel’s wings defy typical expectations, with Gabriel sporting tiny angel wings that are more symbolic than functional. The film humorously addresses their size when Arj calls Gabriel a “budget guardian angel” in the trailer, and Jeff questions whether the small wings allow flight—they do not. Ansari explains to Reeves,
“We didn’t want you to look like you were a Victoria’s Secret angel. We wanted to make sure you had a little more life to your wings. We didn’t want you to look like [model] Gisele Bündchen.”
Reeves appreciated this detail, saying,
“I don’t think there would’ve been… that chance,”
and that wearing the wings
“really placed the character for me”
even if it took some getting used to, adding wryly,
“because I would bump into things.”
Depiction of the Gig Economy Through Arj’s DoorDash Experience
Arj, the central humancharacter, makes a living as a delivery driver among other gigs. Ansari immersed himself in the experience by shadowing real DoorDash drivers and quickly realized how challenging the work can be. He shares,
“The first one I remember, I had to go pick it up. I just double-parked and went over to get the food,”
continuing,
“And of course the food’s not ready. People are starting to honk at me.”
He nearly injured himself trying to maneuver the vehicle, stating,
“I almost backed into a telephone pole… I did it for a few hours and quickly understood that this is much harder than people realize.”
Ansari hopes the film encourages viewers to appreciate delivery workers more:
“I hope everyone that watches this movie tips their delivery drivers more after watching.”
Keke Palmer’s Role as a Fighter for Workers’ Rights
Keke Palmer plays Elena, a hardware store employee who supports Arj and advocates for unionization in their workplace. Ansari regards Palmer’s role as the film’s emotional center, explaining the contrast in their characters’ outlooks:
“They’re both struggling in their own way. My character has given up, and Keke’s character is fighting. Her journey in trying to unionize is a contrast to Arj, who has lost all hope.”
Ansari also shares the casting was deliberate:
“I was so glad she was able to do it.”
Choreographing Dance Scenes Inspired by Leonardo DiCaprio
The film features a lively partyscene where Arj showcases his dance moves. Inspired by Leonardo DiCaprio’s energetic performance as Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street, Ansari collaborated with Michael Arnold, who choreographed for both The Wolf of Wall Street and Joker, to design his moves. Ansari explains,
“I was like, ‘This guy can help me come up with a dance.’”
Meanwhile, Palmer impressed without any assistance, described as
“just the most incredible dancer.”
Incorporating Authenticity with a Genuine Ayahuasca Shaman
The film’s fantastical element centers on Jeff’s attendance at an ayahuasca retreat, where a real shaman was cast to enhance authenticity. Ansari reveals,
“I don’t wanna say who, but that was a real shaman.”
When asked if Seth Rogen took ayahuasca during filming, Ansari confirms,
“No, that would’ve been rough for a few days.”
He humorously suggests that the trio should do an actual ayahuasca livestream, stating,
“That’s what we should do. It shouldn’t be a trailer breakdown. It should be the three of us really doing ayahuasca. Like, that would go viral. We’re gonna stop this trailer breakdown, me and Keanu are gonna do ayahuasca, and we’re gonna livestream it for 24 hours. I’m in if you are. I’ll call the shaman now.”
Reeves responds unenthusiastically, “I can’t.”
Good Fortune’s Exploration of Human Flaws Through a Heavenly Lens
Good Fortune combines humor and introspection by portraying an angel grappling with his limitations and the complexities of human life. Keanu Reeves’ portrayal of Gabriel departs from the usual flawless angel archetype, inviting audiences to follow his transformation when divine powers fail him. Set against the multifaceted backdrop of Los Angeles, the film highlights relevant social issues through its characters, making the story relatable and timely.
By blending comedy with deeper themes such as the gig economy, workers’ struggles, and personal growth, Good Fortune is poised to offer a distinctive cinematic experience. Ansari’s debut as a director and star alongside Keanu Reeves and Keke Palmer promises a mixture of laughs and heart, marking a notable entry in contemporary comedy. With its release imminent, viewers can anticipate a fresh take on what it means to be angelic—and human.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Keanu Reeves a millionaire?
A. By 2023, Keanu Reeves is thought to have around $380 million. This fortune is mainly from his acting, earnings from famous series like The Matrix, and business projects, such as his work with motorcycle design.
Q. Was Keanu Reeves rich?
A. Keanu Reeves’ Wealth in 2024: Understanding the Matrix Actor’s Estimated $380 Million Fortune! – IMDb.
Q. Is Keanu Reeves a good guy in real life?
A. Reeves is well-known in Hollywood as a polite and kind actor due to his calm nature and courteous behavior.
Q. Why does Keanu Reeves donate his money?
A. When Keanu’s sister was diagnosed with leukemia, he decided to donate millions of dollars to start a private cancer foundation. Since its creation, his foundation has supported children’s hospitals and cancer research across the nation.
