Will and Harper is a such a sensitive portrait of friendship. At its core, it is all about love, acceptance and understanding. As it involves two prominent individuals in comedy, there is a fair share of banter and laughter to be had. What the documentary excels at is the smooth way in which it switches from light to serious. Ferrell will crack a dumb joke like “how does it feel to be a worse driver, now that you’re a female” to which Harper says, “you’ve just cracked the joke of the year.” At almost the very next moment, when there’s a pause in conversation, it will go into real territory. Harper asks her friend if he was ever nervous about talking to her after reading the email, to which, Will, awkwardly responds, “I didn’t know what the new ground rules were, if there were any.” Am I going to be making a new friend, do I treat her differently, are thoughts Ferrell openly expresses. Harper makes it clear early on, and at subsequent stages, that her friends can ask her anything about her transition because the questions are coming from a good place. While sitting on chairs at a Walmart parking lot, eating Pringles and drinking beer, she tells Will, “Cause I know there’s no ill intention. So, whatever you say, I could not possibly be angry.”
The road trip begins in New York, with Will flying in from California to meet Harper. The two plan to travel in the latter’s car for sixteen days, taking turns at the wheel, traversing the states of Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Oklahoma, Texas and Nevada. Harper intends on visiting many of the small towns in these states Andrew was once familiar with, seeing them now as a transgender woman. Would the reception be any different? This primary question is posed to Harper by her children and the many cast members of Saturday Night Live. Though they are all very supportive of Harper’s decision, their primary concern is that of her safety. Truck stops in the middle of nowhere, shady bars, all of what Andrew enjoyed take on a whole new meaning when it’s Harper doing the same thing. She acknowledges that having Will Ferrell, the star, by her side, will perhaps make the experience less daunting. And for that reason, there are places she wishes to go alone, just to gauge the situation.
Funny, poignant and heartfelt, the back-and-forth between the friends covers the emotional turmoil Harper has been dealing with for years. The doubt, the fear, the self-loathing, the suicidal ideation, the acceptance of one’s true self, despite it all, come up in conversation; sometimes, it’s Harper speaking of her own volition, sometimes it’s Will broaching a subject. The people they cross paths with on the road are a mixed bag. In Indianapolis, they watch a Pacers basketball game, with Ferrell getting a grand reception. The Governor has a friendly chat with Will, who introduces Harper. They later find out that the man is opposed to transgender rights. Later in the car, Will is palpably guilty. In Peoira, Illinois, the two meet a trans woman activist, gleaning insight into the challenges of transitioning later in life and the impact she has had on the community. The next stop is Harper’s hometown of Iowa City; they stay with her sister and see the house Andrew grew up in. Harper’s sister reacted to her email about transitioning with, “I’ve always wanted a sister”, feeling a quick response was the need of the hour as a show of support. Will and Harper then head to Oklahoma, where the reception is pleasantly surprising. At an obscure bar, Harper decides to brave entering alone. Despite being a conservative state, the patrons are friendly and welcoming to Harper when she decides to engage a few of them in conversation. Will comes in after the go-ahead, and the night only gets merrier. Even the stock car race the duo attends goes well, with Harper receiving solidarity from fellow watchers. A steakhouse in Texas ends up being a whole different vibe, though. Will Ferrell dresses up as Sherlock Holmes, as he attempts to finish a 72-ounce steak in one hour. The mood of the crowd is borderline hostile, with almost everyone recording them as if they were zoo animals. This incident, which leads to lots of intolerance on social media, has Will breaking down and apologising profusely to his friend.
One thing Josh Greenbaum’s documentary film achieves is a rounded perspective on the current state of affairs. It would have been easier to barely make a passing mention of the unbridled hatred that indeed exists. But the reality is that there much discrimination when it comes to the trans community, and so much misinformation that’s rife. Instead of asking the right questions or being sensitive, people automatically become fearful. And that fear translates to hate, when unchecked. Will asks Harper questions ranging from the gender re-assignment surgeries she has had to whether she would like to begin dating again (and what her preferences may likely be). Amidst the laughter of rolling back the years, there are tears from both sides. It is heartening and overwhelming at the same time. The film, through Harper’s story, tells us that accepting ourselves for who we truly are, is a process that takes time and courage. And that long journey doesn’t stop the minute one decides to transition.
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