Will & Harper

This heartfelt documentary from director Josh Greenbaum (Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar) follows Saturday Night Live alumni Will Ferrell and Harper Steele as they traverse the US by car following Steele’s announcement of her transition. Both a portrait of enduring friendship and a field report on contemporary attitudes toward the trans community, Will & Harper reinvents the road movie for an age of change and empowerment.

Ferrell and Steele met in 1995 on their first day at work at SNL, where they discovered an instant comedic kinship. Their personal bond deepened in the decades that followed. When Steele came out as trans, she feared the news could alienate those in her orbit. Ferrell declared his unconditional support, yet worried he might inadvertently say or do something offensive.

The duo decide that a road trip could be a great way of reinforcing their friendship and surveying what it means to be transgender in today’s sharply divided culture. Their 16-day journey begins in New York, where they revisit their former headquarters at 30 Rock and reunite with old pals Seth Meyers and Tina Fey. From there, it’s off to Washington, DC, and the American heartland — including states that have recently placed restrictions on gender-affirming care.

While buoyed by humour and warmth, Will & Harper delivers an urgent message regarding the sobering challenges still facing trans people. In precarious times, the love of a friend can supply some of the strength needed to forge ahead.

Content advisory: coarse language