Will & Harper: Film Review
Will Ferrell is known as the funny guy who plays ridiculous characters in movies like Anchorman, Blades of Glory, and Step Brothers. But in Will & Harper, he loses that well-known act and goes on a road trip with his transgender friend Harper Steele.
In 2022, Steele emailed her dear friend and former Saturday Night Live colleague Ferrell to announce that she had transitioned into a woman. This was unchartered territory for Ferrell: What did that mean for their 30-year friendship? What had changed and what had stayed the same? Would they still get along like they used to and bond over the same things? In this documentary, Ferrell and Steele meet up for the first time post-transition and travel across the U.S. to see how their friendship has evolved.
Will & Harper should be required viewing for everyone so they can better understand the transgender experience. It is insightful and educational, particularly if you don’t personally know someone who is trans, but it doesn’t feel overly preachy or like you’re being taught a lesson. Steele is super honest about her experience, her insecurities and how it feels to interact with society at large (particularly in certain mid-America states). She encourages Ferrell to ask all the awkward, taboo questions rattling around his brain and their candid conversations are funny, emotional and informative.
Some scenes are particularly hard to watch, such as their dinner at a Texan restaurant, and their debriefs afterwards are touching. But it can also be really light-hearted and amusing, with help from celebrity friends like Kristen Wiig and Tina Fey (among others).
After making a name for himself with his larger-than-life comedy persona, which he often uses off-set for public appearances, it is moving to see Ferrell being so serious and getting upset on camera. Sure, he gets some comedic moments here but watching him let his guard down on camera hits home because we rarely get to see that side of him. He is usually always on, playing the character of Will Ferrell. This is Will Ferrell, the person. I would have liked more of that footage actually, but it never stays in the sadness long before returning to lightness.
It’s such a delight to see Ferrell use his platform to shine a spotlight on underrepresented or much-maligned voices and to make something sincere and well-meaning. Will & Harper is a force for good and I urge you all to watch it.
On Netflix from Friday 27th September