By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo Credit: Variety
Aziz Ansari is back and in a big way. He serves as the director, writer, and lead actor for the upcoming comedy film, Good Fortune. It’s his directorial debut.
Will Good Fortune be a strong contender for Best Comedy or Musical at the Golden Globes?
Joining Ansari in the cast are Keanu Reeves, Seth Rogen, and Keke Palmer. Ansari is also the co-producer alongside Alan Yang and Anthony Katagas. Yang and Ansari co-created the successful Netflix series Master of None, which won Emmy Awards.
The story revolves around an angel named Gabriel, portrayed by Reeves, who interferes in the lives of a struggling gig worker, Arj, portrayed by Ansari, and a wealthy venture capitalist, Jeff, played by Rogen. Palmer plays the character of Elena. Emmy Award winner Sandra Oh and Stephen McKinley Henderson are also part of the cast.
Movies that get released anytime between September and December have a legitimate chance to contend for Golden Globes and Oscars, especially when it’s a top-notch cast like Good Fortune.
Good Fortune made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film has received praise from critics—Rotten Tomatoes rated it 83 percent based on 23 reviews.
Ansari is an excellent writer. Sometimes it feels like he doesn’t get enough credit for how good he writes comedy. Ansari and Yang make a great team together. Ansari and Rogen have been friends for years, and working on this project together makes it even better.
After everything Ansari has gone through in recent years, Good Fortune can be a feel-good story for him and bounce back in the business in a big way. He’s had success in television and have the chance to do so with films.
Rogen is coming off winning numerous Emmys for his work in ‘The Studio.’
If the movie continues to build momentum, it will likely receive nominations for at least the Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice Awards.
Lionsgate Pictures is planning to release Good Fortune to hit theaters on October 17.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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