The trans ‘Will & Grace’ is here, and it’s a Netflix road movie starring Will Ferrell

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As I delve deeper into this heartfelt narrative of Harper Steele, I find myself deeply moved by her courage and resilience. Her journey from the confines of self-imposed isolation to embracing her true identity is nothing short of inspiring. The film “Will & Harper” serves as a beacon of hope for those who have been silenced or marginalized, offering a platform for open dialogue and understanding.

TORONTO — Will Ferrell is building up a head of steam.

As I find myself nestled within a hotel conference room, stripped of any distinctive charm but somehow fitting the bill for our discussion – reminiscent of the “Between Two Ferns” atmosphere – the actor grabs hold of the topic revolving around transphobia in Hollywood films, particularly “Ace Ventura”, and doesn’t let go.

Ferrell states, “Popular culture often encourages a dismissive view towards transgender individuals as if they’re not genuine people. This is nonsensical and unfounded. We are making progress in educating everyone…

Harper Steele, his friend, ex-colleague from ‘Saturday Night Live,’ and current co-star in a road trip, interjects, halting him amusingly,” she says. There’s a hint of sincerity in her dry tone.

The central theme of the upcoming documentary “Will & Harper,” which chronicles a nationwide road trip, is the exploration of Steele’s 2022 transition as a trans woman. Throughout their journey, Will Ferrell and Steele encounter various situations such as meeting Governor Eric Holcomb, who supports anti-trans bills, engaging with the trans community in Peoria, Illinois, experiencing online harassment in Texas, and receiving an unexpectedly welcoming response from bar patrons in Oklahoma. Wrapped within the framework of a humorous buddy comedy reminiscent of their work on “Saturday Night Live” sketches like “Oops! I Crapped My Pants” and “More Cowbell,” this film launching on Netflix on Friday, presents one of the most compelling portrayals of contemporary trans life in American pop culture. It fearlessly tackles questions about transgender individuals that are often considered off-limits.

You might even call “Will & Harper” the trans “Will & Grace.”

The influence of a sitcom like ‘Will & Grace’ on the LGBTQ+ community, particularly the gay community, was enormous, asserts its director, Josh Greenbaum. He acknowledges that it may not be considered ‘high art’, but it shares a piece of what they were aiming for in their film. Using the saying that laughter bridges the smallest gap between people, he is a firm advocate of this idea. They intended to ensure their movie was humorous, easy-to-understand, and a welcoming introduction.

Similarly to NBC’s groundbreaking sitcom, while some, including then-Vice President Joe Biden, applauded it for educating the public extensively on various topics, others within the LGBTQ+ community criticized it for oversimplifying queer identities for a primarily straight audience. This method of presenting information in an appealing manner can have its pros and cons. For Steele, who openly prefers a bold approach when discussing trans rights, the term “normalizing” feels limiting as it places queer individuals in a specific category, making it seem like the ultimate goal is marriage equality rather than broader liberation.

The show “Will & Harper” skillfully balances being informative yet not preachy, engaging but not shallow. This delicate balance is inherent in its design, as the characters’ relationship progresses gradually until they reach the town of Trona in the Mojave Desert, where a pivotal moment occurs when Steele reveals her profound self-loathing from her past. Throughout, it seems to risk skipping crucial details or ignoring necessary context, but instead, it directly tackles the viewer’s doubts.

Instead of intentionally designing it this way, Ferrell, Steele, and Greenbaum abandoned their initial concept to center the movie on comedic segments. This decision led them into the unpredictable world of nonfiction storytelling, resulting in some of the most surprising moments in their journey. They hadn’t anticipated, for example, that a joke about Ferrell attempting to consume a 72-ounce steak within an hour at a Texas steakhouse would provoke discomfort from fellow diners and a wave of online criticism. Also, they were unaware that Holcomb would be attending the Pacers game in Indianapolis, where they met the governor on the court – an encounter that put Ferrell on the spot regarding the basics of being a good ally.

In a similar situation, Ferrell states, “I wouldn’t think twice about inquiring, ‘By the way, what are your thoughts on that?’ I feel comfortable pushing boundaries a bit more. This is especially true when I have some background information. Last night at dinner, for instance, our waiter incorrectly gendered [Steele]. I corrected him immediately by saying, ‘Nope.’ … I react in this way because it feels instinctive to me.

Our conversation, ahead of the film’s Toronto International Film Festival screening, takes place the morning after the presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump, in which Trump raised the specter of “transgender operations on illegal aliens in prison.” (“That feels like a line written in an ‘SNL’ sketch,” Ferrell quips.) But politicians’ and pundits’ use of transgender people as a scapegoat would not be possible without their historical mistreatment, or outright erasure, in popular culture. As for the roughly 60% of Americans who do not know a trans person, according to Pew, “Will & Harper” hopes to be an introduction: “Now you know Harper,” Greenbaum says.

In a platform like Netflix, where shows like “Will & Harper” coexist with content from outspoken comedians like Dave Chappelle and Ricky Gervais who often make jokes at the expense of transgender individuals, positive messages may struggle for attention amidst such discourse. However, Steele chooses not to engage with or be swayed by their comments, instead focusing on her own creative endeavors without altering them to counteract their perspectives.

She notes that when someone’s pride is wounded, they may resort to cyberbullying, or trolling. She observes many individuals engaging in this behavior and finding enjoyment from it. She expresses hope that Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, an Olympic gold medalist in women’s welterweight, will take legal action against J.K. Rowling for incorrectly labeling her as male on social media. She feels these individuals require assistance. (Paraphrased)

Steele emphasizes, “I aim for our message and my actions to be more prominent, ultimately.” He further notes, “I merely hope it overpowers the less powerful voice, and that’s my approach. I dislike conflicts. To put it simply, engaging with someone like Dave Chappelle quickly could lead to a harsh backlash, much like appearing on Fox News with Tucker Carlson. Why would I expose myself to such an ordeal when I’d only endure it unhappily?

The show ‘Will & Harper’ deliberately tackles all subjects without exception, silencing criticisms of ‘cancel culture’ from TV hosts and comedians. With Ferrell as a curious moderator, Steele openly discusses her reasons for adopting a new name, delves into her personal appearance, sexuality, struggles with suicidal thoughts, presents her children, interacts with her sister, reveals her letters, diaries, and most emotional memories. This openness extends an exceptional invitation to viewers who might usually judge or shy away from the conversation due to fear of saying something inappropriate, causing offense, or realizing their experiences are not universal.

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but express my admiration for how openly she spoke about her transition. My friend and ex-collaborator from “SNL,” Kristen Wiig, perfectly captures this when she says, “One of the beautiful aspects of her transformation was her eagerness to discuss it.” This open conversation helped us maintain our bond, strengthen it, and understand what she had been experiencing for years that many of us were unaware of.

The movie has managed to stimulate discussions among viewers, as stated by Greenbaum. During its debut at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, where it was first shown, he remembers encountering a woman and her transgender son who had been apart since his transition. However, they rekindled their relationship when she purchased tickets to “Will & Harper” as a way of making peace in a symbolic cinematic gesture. Steele, on the other hand, expresses more anxiety about the film striking a chord with transgender audiences rather than convincing non-transgender ones, possibly due to her personal knowledge of the damage that Hollywood’s reflection can cause.

She remarks that Klinger from “M.A.S.H.” significantly impacted her life negatively by portraying a cross-dressing character for humor, which caused him to be close to being discharged as insane. This was the essence of his character. On a positive note, the 1974 film “Freebie and the Bean,” starring James Caan and Alan Arkin, became one of her favorite movies due to its female-impersonating thief. She finds it perplexing to see a man portray such beauty.

The central dilemma in the series “Will & Grace” and broader LGBTQ+ pop culture at large is: If we have the freedom to tell our own stories, what narrative would we choose to share? Some might emphasize self-expression, while others focus on persuasion; some may opt for subtle influence over direct action, or vice versa. Advocates of populism clash with those who champion high art, while diplomats strive to find a balance between the two in our increasingly constrained social landscape. It’s important to remember that no single path is absolute truth – many are simply misinformed or dishonest.

Admittedly, it was quite entertaining and the actors were terrific on ‘Will & Grace,’ as Ferrell acknowledges, slightly correcting Greenbaum’s previous evaluation. ‘Indeed, it was a groundbreaking and impactful series, no doubt about that. Yet, at the same time, I see it as exceptional ensemble comedy, clever writing, and engaging storylines,’ he adds.

Significantly, Steele remains silent on this topic. She doesn’t feel the need to comment because “Will & Harper” is merely one example among many when it comes to portraying transgender characters. For a particular generation of gay men, “Will & Grace” held great significance. However, there are countless other ways to represent trans individuals in stories and media, and there will always be more questions to explore and answer.

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2024-09-23 13:32