* ‘Gobit-sawi’ is a pure Korean word meaning ‘the greatest crisis among crises’, in English the ‘climax (Climax)’.
A scene from the film ‘Good Fortune’ by Aziz Ansari. Photo ㈜Nuri Pictures
From the legend that Napoleon, famed as Emperor of France, evaded death on the battlefield at the very moment he bent down to look for a four-leaf clover, the flower meaning of the ‘four-leaf clover’ was born. Its meaning is ‘luck’. Yet, as has often been pointed out, in searching for a four-leaf clover, people trample the three-leaf clovers that blanket the fields. Is it right to trample ‘happiness’ in pursuit of ‘luck’? This question, posed countless times by humankind, has once again been distilled into a film.
Released on the 7th, ‘Good Fortune’ is a fantasy comedy directed by Aziz Ansari, who also leads the cast as Azi. Keanu Reeves, known for becoming ‘John’ in films such as Constantine and John Wick, and Canadian comedian and actor Seth Rogen join him. Although Keanu Reeves enjoys overwhelming name recognition, the film revolves around the two men, Azi and Jeff (Seth Rogen).
A scene from the film ‘Good Fortune’ by Aziz Ansari. Photo ㈜Nuri Pictures
Azi graduated from a respectable university and, with a STEM background, dreams of success, but in reality he remains stuck in the underclass, doing errand gigs such as standing in line on behalf of clients and sleeping in his car. Jeff, who lives in the mansion where Azi happens to stop by for an errand, spends his days browsing shopping apps and even hires a choreographer to teach him dance moves for a party to be held at his house over the weekend, enjoying a life of luxury. The film follows the commotion that erupts when the positions of the two men suddenly reverse.
Stories like this usually descend from the classic vein of ‘The Prince and the Pauper’. Whereas most such tales have two people, weary of their own lives, trade places, ‘Good Fortune’ changes the lot of Azi solely by his own will. In the process, the ‘rookie angel’ Gabriel (Keanu Reeves) intervenes. His intent is pure and sacred, but his methods are nothing if not sloppy. He grants a one-week grace period, yet, having already tasted luxury, there is no reason for Azi to revert his life.
A scene from the film ‘Good Fortune’ by Aziz Ansari. Photo ㈜Nuri Pictures
Ultimately, Gabriel acts beyond his authority, is disciplined by the ‘senior angel’ Masa (Sandra Oh), and is demoted to human. He failed to help the two even as an angel, so as a human he is hardly of help. In this process, even Jeff, who had lacked memories, comes to realize that his once-wealthy circumstances have been altered, and the ‘chaos’ intensifies.
The film is neat overall. There are no searing emotions between characters, no gun-and-knife action, no blood-soaked villain, yet it moves forward with a breezy directness, like sipping a fresh fruit ade. That is because it does not dwell overly on the miserable reality of Azi, nor does it depict Jeff as nothing more than an extreme materialist. The two come to understand each other in reasonable measure and, within the bounds of common sense, to appreciate the value of their own lives.
A scene from the film ‘Good Fortune’ by Aziz Ansari. Photo ㈜Nuri Pictures
If there is a key source of fun, it is watching Keanu Reeves as Gabriel, the bumbling ‘Brother John’. The female characters in the story all fall for the charm of Gabriel, but even without that setup, his pure yet inflexible nature prompts gentle chuckles. Because that character too does not feel contrived, the film feels even fresher. In the end, the protagonists question whether, in chasing luck, they are abandoning even their own happiness. It circles back to a familiar conclusion.
Still, the brisk craftsmanship leaves even that conclusion feeling fresh. It is a quaint fantasy film that seems placid at a glance but, upon closer look, reveals quite a few endearingly cute touches.
