When I think of Will Ferrell, I think of his fantastically, ingeniously stupid films like Elf and Blades of Glory. But the new documentary Will & Harper, which explores the 30-year friendship between Ferrell and comedy writer Harper Steele, who transitioned during the pandemic, turns that perception on its head.
This affectionate road trip buddy movie features an unseen depth to Ferrell, as he joins Steele on a trip across America, providing an honest and heartfelt portrayal of their relationship. It’s illuminating, timely, and gently funny.
But what makes this documentary so impactful is that it celebrates friendship, identity, and acceptance, shedding light on the journey of a trans woman and her enduring bond with Ferrell. In short, it shows what trans allyship can look like, something that is needed now more than ever.
There are tears wept on both sides – about the decades of deep pain Steele felt denying her identity, and the terrible realisation for Ferrell that he was blind to that pain for so long.
When I first realised I was LGBTQIA+, I didn’t have the language to describe how I was feeling. During secondary school, we had a talk on sexual health, and afterwards the feedback form included a question on orientation. For some reason, I felt so overwhelmed by the question that I began to cry. I didn’t know how to answer it. Eventually, with the help of people around me, I found that the term bisexual felt right for me.
Then, during my A-Levels, I discovered that I was non-binary – for me, coming out involved changing my name and pronouns. While my family initially struggled to use my new name and pronouns, they now use them consistently. Coming out means being open about your identity, and I’ve come out a lot of times.
This is perhaps exactly why Ferrell’s voice is such a perfectly potent one in making the case for supporting trans people. Allyship is about community, understanding and support, and he has suddenly become a very public ally, motivated by his love for his friend. And that’s something everyone can relate to. The need for a strong support network is not just something experienced by LGBTQIA+ people, but anyone and everyone.
As trans rights have become a politicised issue in much of the world, Will & Harper is even more poignant. It delves into self-acceptance and friendship, explores the transgender experience with a gentle and inquisitive approach and, more than anything, highlights the importance of not only being a trans ally but also a good friend.
Casey is an ambassador for Just Like Us, the LGBT+ young people’s charity. Just Like Us needs LGBT+ ambassadors aged 18-25 to speak in schools – sign up now.
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