Will & Harper

It's not easy opening up and allowing yourself to be vulnerable. Friends Will and Harper both allow themselves to be silly and awkward while they reexamine their past and future on this road trip.

Will is an excellent choice to be the avatar of the viewer as many people aren't familiar with trans people or the issues they face, though they harbor no ill will. As a familiar face, Will brings a certain comfort to people while exploring an unfamiliar topic. He asks the questions many people want to ask, even the questions that are a bit too personal for everyone to ask the one trans person they know. This film comes at a time when acceptance of trans people is remarkably high, but also remarkably low.

Trans people just want to exist in peace and happiness, but that existence has been turned into political theater. This documentary highlights how normal and harmless trans people are, while also reminding viewers how extremely negative the public can be to trans people for simply existing. Great progress has been made, but the backlash has also been strong and severe. Trans people are just people; your friends, family, neighbors, and often the people creating your favorite art and entertainment.

This film might not change your mind, but hopefully it'll give you something to think about the next time you hear incendiary rhetoric being used to scapegoat all trans people.

This documentary is going to influence so many lives. For those of you who don't understand that statement, let me explain. No one chooses to be "different" but society sets down a strict set of rules that they feel they are entitled to have, causing people like Harper to live a life they never felt alive in. Nothing is more beautiful and freeing then just letting others peacefully be their authentic selves. And if I need to explain what I mean by that as well I will. Being your authentic self means not causing harm to others while doing what you want with your body and soul and that's exactly what Harper is doing here, she's radiating joy because for once in her life she's free to live the life people have forbidden her to live. To be hateful in the face of joy is such a miserable thing, so why don't we watch this documentary and allow the joy of Harper's fresh start consume us. So to all of the comments speaking true to the hate and fear they were taught when their minds were still pure, just stop. It is okay to allow the happiness of others. It won't hurt you to watch this documentary and just for a moment allow yourself to forget all the hate you were taught and be a kid again.

Thank you.

I just saw an early screening of "Will & Harper" and went on the ride of a lifetime. It felt like a privilege to go along with these two old friends on a journey of self-discovery and redefining their relationship. Loved every minute of it, all the way through the end credits. You see a new, intimate side to Will Ferrell and learn about an extremely talented and tortured soul who can finally be who they truly are. You wish everyone would watch this movie, because if they do they will definitely have more compassion for the transgender community. Unexpected moments, lovely scenery and great cameos, too.

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.