Regardless of the detrimental connotations of my headline, I’m not at all suggesting that I disliked Will & Harper. Actually, the other is true. Just a few weeks again, I overtly admitted to crying on the trailer, and I firmly imagine that it’s deserving of its nearly excellent Rotten Tomatoes rating – it has 99% on the ‘Tomatometer’ on the time of writing. The Netflix film is a necessary watch, however you might discover it uncomfortable in locations.
That’s no unhealthy factor. I firmly imagine that extra Netflix documentaries ought to have the boldness to be this uncooked and susceptible. Whereas its message of self-acceptance, in addition to the acceptance of others is evident, it does not shrink back from exhibiting errors alongside the best way. It doesn’t really feel rehearsed, it feels real, and watching two long-term mates navigating a giant change was introduced with the honesty it deserved.
The documentary facilities on the friendship between comedy legend Will Ferrell and his pal, Harper Steele. Earlier than assembly on Saturday Night time Dwell, the place Steele was a head author, Ferrell had identified him as Andrew, a cisgender man. Ferrell later acquired a deep, heartfelt e mail from Steele about him popping out as transgender and figuring out as a lady. He later discovered his pal’s new identify was Harper, and this prompted Ferrell to counsel a highway journey the place he might get reacquainted along with his pal and ask some vital questions.
Immediately, Ferrell supported Steele. He admitted he was shocked, however at no level did he maintain any vitriol in the direction of his pal. This was good to witness on many ranges. For a begin, he is an enormous public determine who folks look as much as, so the actual fact he was so supportive is a optimistic factor to see. He took the initiative to show himself and the world a few social concern, a subject that is not at all times simple to strategy or perceive. He went into it along with his signature humor in addition to some tenderness, leading to a rollercoaster of a documentary.
What precisely went unsuitable throughout Will & Harper?
If we’re being trustworthy, a lot. From some barely sexist questions reminiscent of Ferrell asking Steele if she was a worse driver now, to conversations about new boobs, there’s so much that trendy audiences would possibly cringe at. However I believe it is vital to look at the topics on the coronary heart of the film; Will Ferrell is a 57-year-old man who’s used to crude humor, and Andrew Steele wrote these types of jokes with him throughout their respective careers. They’re used to dealing with humor like this, Steele at no level appeared uncomfortable and even threw jokes of her personal proper again. The jokes by no means felt malicious, as an alternative it felt in keeping with the connection they at all times had, and viewers got an intimate have a look at how these two work together.
It’s unimaginable for us to totally see the extent of their friendship all through a two-hour film, and being thrown into this usually masculine setting of beer jokes, gender jokes, and extra, can really feel somewhat jarring at first if that is not one thing you are used to. However all through all of it, Ferrell was persistently supportive. He had breakfast with Steele’s youngsters, stayed together with her sister, and acquired some completely different views. He listened and, to his credit score, did know when to cease the jokes and really take issues severely.
Ferrell additionally tousled on two events. The primary was throughout a basketball recreation the place he boldly spoke about his transgender pal to Eric Holcomb, a governor who signed a invoice banning gender-affirming take care of minors in Indiana final 12 months. Not realizing who Holcomb was, nor his latest insurance policies, Ferrell had not thought of the actual fact others will not be so supportive of Steele. As onerous as this was to look at, I believed it was vital because it permits viewers to see two opposing sides of the identical concern, and the way it is rather simple for us to carry up matters round individuals who might have differing views.
The second was a restaurant scene the place he determined to tackle an consuming problem at a steakhouse in Texas. Whereas there, his movie star standing attracts consideration and he introduces his pal to the group as “Miss Harper Steele”. The announcer fumbled addressing her correctly, and this prompted an onslaught of social media hatred calling each Ferrell and Steele insults, whereas deliberately misgendering the latter. That is arguably essentially the most uncomfortable scene of the film.
But it surely’s essential that scenes like these are left in. They’re interspersed with different, extra healthful scenes like folks in dive bars being form in the direction of Harper, and assembly with others who’ve shared related experiences. As they journey the nation and meet with a wide range of completely different folks, it is finally a hopeful film and it felt vital for Harper to go to among the locations she’d loved years in the past.
Being so susceptible on digital camera just isn’t simple, however this is likely one of the most vital documentaries you will see. I urge you to provide it a go as quickly as attainable.
