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Biographical documentary

Good Fortune (2017): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Good Fortune (2017) movie poster

Good Fortune is a 2017 biographical documentary directed by Josh Tickell and Rebecca Harrell, starring John Paul DeJoria, Danny Trejo and Dan Aykroyd. It runs 1 hour 26 minutes. Critics gave it 75% on Rotten Tomatoes and 53 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.7/10.

IMDb rating
7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
75%
Echo Score
69
Metascore
53
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Good Fortune (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 26m (86 min)
Original language
English
Studio
Paladin
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Good Fortune About?

The premise of Good Fortune without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Good Fortune follows the remarkable journey of John Paul DeJoria, who overcame homelessness to become a hugely successful entrepreneur. The film explores how JP redefined wealth, embracing the idea that success should be shared. He built a significant hair care and tequila empire, always prioritizing people, the environment, and financial responsibility. DeJoria’s philosophy, “Success unshared is failure,” highlights his commitment to a triple bottom line approach and cements his reputation as a modern-day hero.

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Cast & crew

Good Fortune Cast

John Paul DeJoria leads the cast, with Danny Trejo and Dan Aykroyd. Directed by Josh Tickell and Rebecca Harrell; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the directors

More from Josh Tickell and Rebecca Harrell

More films directed by Josh Tickell and Rebecca Harrell, best-rated first: The Big Fix, Pump, Fuel and On Sacred Ground.

Ratings

Good Fortune Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Good Fortune 75% on Rotten Tomatoes and 53 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 69/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

69 /100

Good Fortune Echo Score Breakdown

In aggregate, the film offers a heartwarming yet narrowly focused profile of DeJoria’s rise. Critics note its slick presentation and engaging personal anecdotes, while users praise the emotional resonance of his philanthropic journey. The narrative draws on archival footage and celebrity testimonies without probing deeper contradictions or socio-economic themes. Visually polished and spirited in tone, Good Fortune sustains viewer interest through its positive portrayal but stops short of critical depth. Overall, it leaves a pleasant impression despite its hagiographic leanings.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, the documentary presents a polished visual style with clear cinematography and measured pacing. Directors use a mix of archival footage, reenactments and present-day interviews to maintain cohesion. Editing is efficient, guiding viewers through decades of material without significant moments feeling overlooked. Production design remains functional, focused on authenticity over spectacle. Overall, the craftsmanship supports the celebratory tone effectively.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character and emotion, John Paul DeJoria’s charismatic presence anchors the film. Viewers note his genuine warmth and generosity, reinforced by heartfelt testimonies from family members and colleagues. The emphasis on his philanthropic ethos creates emotional resonance, though the presentation rarely explores conflicting viewpoints or deeper motivations. As a result, the portrayal feels sincere yet one-dimensional, offering inspiration without substantial character complexity.

  • Story & Flow 65

    In terms of story and flow, the documentary delivers a straightforward rags-to-riches narrative that engages with clear structure. Reviews highlight the effective sequencing of pivotal life events and the use of reenactments to maintain forward momentum. However, the absence of critical counterpoints or deeper thematic exploration limits narrative depth. The consistent pace keeps interest alive, but the account remains predictable, offering limited surprise or analytical complexity.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    In terms of sensory experience, the film features a dynamic soundtrack and cohesive sound design that enhance emotional moments. Reviewers commend the integration of music cues and sharp narration to underscore thematic points. The visual style, while technically competent, favors straightforward framing over bold experimentation. Overall, the audiovisual elements support the uplifting narrative without drawing attention away from the central subject.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    When considering rewatch factor, Good Fortune offers limited replay value beyond its initial inspirational impact. The sincerity of DeJoria’s story and the warmth of personal anecdotes create a positive first viewing. Yet the largely linear presentation and lack of narrative twists reduce motivation for repeat viewings. While the subject’s charisma may reward a second look, the absence of deeper analysis diminishes long-term appeal.

Plot

Good Fortune Plot Summary

What happens in Good Fortune from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 6-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

A celestial helper named Gabriel watches over humans with a simple, stubborn mission: keep people from texting behind the wheel and crashing into life’s bigger wrecks. The story centers on Arj, a man scraping by on odd jobs from an app called TaskSergeant, waiting in line for cinnamon buns, and spinning together enough gigs to stay afloat. His main stop is Hardware Heaven, a home-improvement store where he strikes up a friendship with Elena, a coworker who is fearless about workers’ rights. Their sparks of camaraderie form a counterpoint to Arj’s uncertainty about his own future. After a casual taco run, Arj opens up about editing documentaries, and we glimpse a life that could be more than deadline-driven chaos.

Full summary

The whole story of Good Fortune, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Good Fortune Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Good Fortune.

Good Fortune Trailer #1 (2016) | Movieclips Indie
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Good Fortune?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
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  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the app Arj uses to find odd jobs?

Details

Good Fortune Also Known As

2 alternative titles: “Удача” and “Jó szerencse”.

Also known as
  • Удача
  • Jó szerencse

Seen Good Fortune?

FAQ

Good Fortune FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Good Fortune, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Good Fortune?

Good Fortune runs 1 hour 26 minutes (86 minutes).

When was Good Fortune released?

Good Fortune was released on June 23, 2017.

Who directed Good Fortune?

Good Fortune was directed by Josh Tickell and Rebecca Harrell.

More films by Josh Tickell

Who is in the cast of Good Fortune?

Good Fortune stars John Paul DeJoria, Danny Trejo and Dan Aykroyd, among 10 credited actors.

How is Good Fortune rated?

Good Fortune has 7.7/10 on IMDb, 75% on Rotten Tomatoes and 53 on Metacritic.

Does Good Fortune have a post-credit scene?

No. Good Fortune has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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