Will & Harper is an American documentary set to be released in 2024, features the life of comedian Will Ferrell and his long time friend, writer Harper Steele, as they undertake a cross-country trip after Harper’s gender transition. The film is directed by Josh Greenbaum and is centered around friendship, identity, and self-discovery in modern America.
Synopsis
The documentary initiates with an email sent by Harper Steele to her close friend Will Ferrel, telling him about her decision regarding transitioning. The two first met on the set of Saturday Night Live in 1995 where Ferrel was a cast member and Steel was a writer for the show. The email compels the two to re-establish their friendship and set off on a road trip of 17 days throughout the US.
The duo starts off from New York City and visit places from their past. They have candid discussions about Harper’s journey and the societal perceptions of a transgender woman, along with the struggles of transitioning after later life. They meet with their friends, family, and many other people throughout the journey, creating dialogues that are funny yet deeply affecting.
They also travel through states such as Indiana, which has passed legislation that is Anti-LGBTQ+ and Texas which offers both acceptance and discrimination. The film illustrates the struggles of identity formation in an ethnically and ideologically diverse, yet divided America.
Cast and Crew
Director:
Josh Greenbaum
Producers:
Jessica Elbaum,
Will Ferrell,
Josh Greenbaum,
Christopher Leggett,
Rafael Marmor
Cinematography:
Zoë White
Editing:
Monique Zavistovski
Music:
Nathan Halpern
Main Cast:
Will Ferrell as Himself
Harper Steele as Herself
Supporting Appearances:
Kristen Wiig,
Will Forte,
Molly Shannon,
Tina Fey,
Lorne Michaels,
Seth Meyers,
Colin Jost,
Tim Meadows,
Paula Pell
Themes and Analysis
The documentary goes further than the road trip itself, showcasing the life journey of Will Ferrell and Harper Steele.
Friendship and Support: The film highlights how lifelong friendships are vital and that support is crucial during life’s pivotal changes.
Identity and Self-discovery: One of the main challenges of Harper’s life revolves around accepting her identity, but with great endeavor comes triumphs.
Societal Perceptions: The documentary marks the attitude of various societies concerning the acceptance of transgender persons, which is one of the sociological aspects focused on.
The entwined use of humor with soft focus enables the documentary to charm the viewers while showcasing the capacity of laughter to connect, to heal.
Reception
Will & Harper was warmly received during the 40th Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2024, for its storytelling and the honest portrayal of the film’s intricate themes. The critics acknowledged the way the film interwove humor and emotional complexity and the bond between Ferrell and Steele.
The documentary had a limited theatrical release on September 13, 2024, followed by steamng on Netflix on September 27, 2024. It was awarded as one of the five best documentary films of 2024 by the National Board of Review.
Accolades
Several awards and nominations have been received by Will & Harper, which includes:
Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards (2024):
Best Documentary Feature (Tied with Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story)
Best Director (Josh Greenbaum) – Nominated
Best Score (Nathan Halpern) – Nominated
Best Cinematography (Zoë White) – Nominated
Hollywood Music in Media Awards (2024):
Best Original Song – Documentary (“Harper and Will Go West” by Kristen Wiig, Sean Douglas, and Josh Greenbaum) – Nominated
National Board of Review (2024):
Top 5 Documentaries – Winner
Peabody Awards (2025):
Documentary – Winner
AARP Movies for Grownups Awards (2025):
Best Documentary – Nominated
Conclusion
Empathy has the power to change divisions in society, friendships turn into friendships when less expected, which Will & Harper beautifully portrays. Their documentaries not only encourage, but also educate, which helps the audience better understand the experiences and struggles of transgender people.
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