Will & Harper

What a beautiful movie. Both lighthearted moments and shattering pain. An exploration of friendship, acceptance (of oneself and of others), and bravery. I'm so glad Will Farrell created this project to help his friend Harper feel at a home in the world rather than shuttered in a house at the edge of our continent.

Did I wait the entire movie for a certain theme song? Yes.

I could say more and this box seems to want me too, but I think you should experience this film for yourself. It's deeply personal. It explores self-hate, which we all carry in some way. And the powerful antidote of love and connection.

It's a buddy road documentary in which one of the buddies is newly trans. The film covers 16 days of travel between New York City and Los Angeles, California in the early 2020s. Will Ferrell's longtime friend from Saturday Night Life days, Andrew Steele, has recently transitioned in his late 50s to Harper Steele. Will and Harper travel through suburban and rural America, discussing Will's response to Harper's decision, including some of Will's questions about Harper's process, as well as Harper's experiences as a trans woman. We meet some of Harper's family and see the reactions of various people, including fans at an Indianapolis Pacers game, a bar in Oklahoma, and a massive steak restaurant in Texas. There are surprises and predictable social media reactions.

"Will & Harper" is more about enduring friendship than anything else. Will Ferrell's celebrity skews the exploration of a trans person's daily life in almost every setting. There were some fascinating conversations--with a trans woman named Dana Graber in Peoria, Illinois (I would be fascinated to learn her background since Graber is a common Mennonite name in an area with numerous Mennonites), with Harper's children and sister, and with a psychologist at the rim of the Grand Canyon. "Will & Harper" does advance the reality of trans life in America positively.

My husband and I found this movie to be incredibly heartfelt, and agree it was beautifully done. The topic was approached so artfully, with care and compassion. We didn't realize we could like Will Farrell any more than we already do, but to see his love for his friend, and his own vulnerability was just beautiful. We could all use such a caring, brave friend. Thank you, Harper, for allowing us all in this journey of yours, as we all have so much to learn.

We laughed out loud, cried, and then laughed again. This film should be required viewing in high school, as so many.kids could learn and grow from this film.

My first review and not a long one.

Great movie about friendship, being who you are and how difficult it is to be, if you are not like the majority.

It also shows, that most people are okay with it all, once they meet you and not just hate from home.

As a Dane this is a movie about what is right in the world - the friendship and love through acceptance and a deep connection between people.

At the same time it shows how broken America is, with all the hate and even laws against people basic rights like who you wanna be or abortion etc.

Loved the genuine conduct of Will and Harper, no acting just them.

A much watch movie for everyone who either needs to find acceptance or need to understand that it doesn't hurt them, that someone is different.

Just saw the premiere. It hasn't sold but oh boy it will. It's well worth a watch when it gets distributed. Saw it with my father who is around Wills age, and who appears to be the target demo for this type of film. He came away with a whole new perspective on trans people and ally-ship. But it isn't so preachy that it will turn off this audience and has equal laughs mixed in with the heartfelt moments of Will and Harper's friendship.

Their chemistry together is electric, even at the moments where Will struggles with some of the serious situations and as he tried to treat parts as a comedy act. But this ultimately appears to lead to growth for Will in what it means to be an ally.

No doubt some will take issue with Wills levity but it really adds a whole dimension to what happens when a friend comes out. There is an awkward adjustment phase, but in the end the cameras and the situation melt away.

My only complaint is that Sundance's program director sucks at Q&A and constantly gets bailed out by talented people like Will and Harper.