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*This review contains minor spoilers.
Will & Harper is the new Netflix documentary (also in limited theatrical release) that tells the story of Will Ferrell's long-standing, whirlwind friendship with Harper Steele. Harper was formerly known as Andrew prior to transitioning to a solely female identity. Andrew and Will worked together in comedy for many years, mostly on 'Saturday Night Live' in the 90's and 00's, and over that time became extremely close as friends and colleagues. They kept in contact as friends do, via social media, texting, etc. while, after 'SNL,' Will commenced his Hollywood domination with films, such as Talladega Nights, The Other Guys, Step Brothers, and of course Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. However, a few years ago, one e-mail that Will received from his good buddy Andrew came with a different signature - it was a "coming out" letter of sorts as Andrew had decided to fully embrace his female identity and transition as Harper.
In the conversations that followed, Harper would express her reluctance to engage in the activities she loved as a man, such as attending sporting events, eating giant porterhouse steaks with the guys, and drinking cheap Natty Lights in the seediest bar she could find, among other things. Will, being the perfect friend that he is, has the bright idea of going on a cross-country road trip to reintroduce Harper to all her favorite things, but this time as a proud, full-fledged woman.
Will & Harper is a tremendously funny and poignant film that captures and harnesses multiple feelings surrounding the transexual community in present-day America. Firstly, from the perspective of Harper - the newly risen woman after six decades of being trapped in her male body - we learn what it feels like to have to go through that transition not knowing what's on the other side or what your family and friends may have to say about it. Secondly, (and possibly the most fascinating viewpoint) we see through the eyes of Will how hard it is to navigate these new waters. Just a few months ago, he was sharing a beer with his dude - and now that dude is a woman confiding in him about all the pain and reluctance she has felt her whole life, essentially living a lie. I found Will & Harper to truly go above and beyond when it leaned into the naivete of us "normal dudes" are our struggle to understand. I say that because this mirrors my own experiences, and not because I don't support individuals coming out and being who they truly are - and what makes them happy - because I do, but more so how it really is hard to ask those questions, wether it be about dating the newly opposite sex, or conventional things such as using the bathroom or clothes shopping. As someone who has never been close to any Trans people, I just want to be able to talk about it without fear of sounding dumb or offending anyone. I fear I may have already failed in this review on the dumb part, but Will Ferrell certainly took one for the team here and made it seem normal and human to be inquisitive about what our Trans friends may be going through, and I greatly appreciated that connection during my watch.
The only true knock I have on the film is that there are times when it does feel a little "Hollywood." Harper came out at places like a dirt-car racetrack, a NBA basketball game, a cowboy steak restaurant in Texas, and a hole-in-the-wall dive bar that literally had a flag at the front door that said "F*CK BIDEN," - naturally right next to the Confederate flag. But, she was able to do all of this with Will Ferrell by her side. And, not for nothing, but most of the patrons in these places probably watch movies like Talladega Nights on a loop - one man even yells out "RICKY BOBBY!" when Will is sitting down to eat. The hard truth is that most of our Trans community does not have the support of Hollywood A-Listers to help them get re-acclimated in society. Hell, some of them don't have anyone at all, regardless of stature. I kept finding myself remembering that point throughout the film. What would Harper's journey had been like if she was alone, or with another non-celebrity woman perhaps? This just heightens my point that we should be embracing this community and the LGBTQ world as a whole. And for that, this movie will hopefully shine a much needed light on this corner of our society. Will & Harper comes with a great deal of heart and laughs. It is essentially a road trip movie, but the destination is not a place on the map. The destination is instead self acceptance, self reflection and ultimately the true power of friendship.
And...we have arrived at our destination.
🍿 SCORE = 85 / 100
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