The Story Behind Will & Harper, as Told by Will Ferrell and Harper Steele

As I delve deeper into this heartwarming tale of friendship and self-discovery, I am deeply moved by the experiences shared by Harper Steele and Will Ferrell. Their journey, fraught with challenges yet brimming with love and acceptance, serves as a beacon of hope in our society.

In the story “Will & Harper“, actor-comedian Will Ferrell and esteemed author Harper Steele set off on a road trip, sharing an unbreakable friendship and creative alliance forged over nearly three decades. Their bond is so strong that it effortlessly communicates the language of comedy when necessary.

Despite years of friendship, the start of a fresh chapter unfolded as they embarked on their movie project. Three years prior, Steele revealed her identity as a trans woman in an unexpected email to Ferrell. His response was immediate support. Later, inspired by Steele’s fondness for road trips, he proposed a unique idea: “What if we go on a road trip and discuss the implications of your transition for both of us?” He made it clear that his intention wasn’t to leverage their relationship for content, but rather to provide an open forum for discussion, for him to ask questions, and for her to revisit places deeply rooted in her life—now as an openly trans woman.

Steele agreed, and their road trip from New York to L.A., featuring stops in Iowa, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas, eventually evolved into the documentary “Will & Harper,” directed by Josh Greenbaum. This road movie is nostalgic, heartfelt, and witty, and is considered one of the most beautiful films ever made about friendship. Notably, Greenbaum, famous for the 2021 comedy “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar,” naturally depicts the duo’s unique atmosphere, fueled by shared temperaments and a humor that has been in tune since they worked together at Saturday Night Live in 1995.

A friendship forged under pressure

Steele recounts, during our conversation at the Telluride Film Festival where ‘Will & Harper’ was screened before its limited release on Sept. 13 and Netflix debut on Sept. 27, “I found Will appealing because his demeanor in life felt soothing to me.” He explains, “I can get tense around comedians who are constantly trying to make you laugh. Will wasn’t doing that. Our interactions were at a more subdued level. I appreciate that quieter energy.

As a film enthusiast, I must admit, her grumpy demeanor was something I found endearing. The hustle and bustle of Saturday Night Live could be overwhelming, but whenever I’d pass by Harper’s office, there she’d be, feet up on the desk, lost in the music from a record while everyone else seemed to be rushing about. [To Steele:] “I bet you were taking a moment to unwind, procrastinating a bit perhaps.

“I was procrastinating.”

During those lengthy work periods, there arose a mutual desire among everyone to poke fun at the intensely demanding atmosphere on the set. Every so often, Steele would secretly send Ferrell a supposed “urgent” message during rehearsals, saying, “Don’t mess it up!” Steele comments, “Overemphasizing everything as the ‘best thing ever’ is fruitless. You don’t create humor that way.

The casual camaraderie and natural flow between Steele and Ferrell, as well as the unforced ease they express, significantly contribute to the essence of “Will & Harper“. Instead of feeling like a series of contrived jokes, the film is more akin to a realistic hangout comedy, presented in a documentary-style format. It stars two extremely humorous and intellectually sharp individuals who seem to genuinely enjoy each other’s company, as if they were constantly sharing jokes over an endless snack supply of Pringles. Ferrell reminisces, “We had a meeting with Rafael Marmor and Jessica Elbaum, two of our producers. And Jessica suggested, ‘You guys should just act like you’re joking with each other right now. It should feel authentic.’

That off-the-cuff energy at the heart of the film also shines through in our interview. Just beneath their bickering lies the finest sort of friendship, one laced with as much droll sarcasm and self-deprecation as honesty and vulnerability. “Comedy is my language of love,” says Steele. “It is the only way we know how to converse,” adds Ferrell. “What’s wonderful about the documentary is that we get into very earnest and serious discussions about the questions I have about what Harper’s going through. And then there is a funny remark, but not on purpose. It was a lot of times led by Harper making fun of me for not being an A-list actor. You’re with an A-list actor right now. You realize that, right?” Ferrell jokes.

“No, I was not,” Steele deadpans. “But you are an a-hole.”

“A for a-hole,” laughs her friend.

Ups and downs across the country

When arranging the travel schedule, emphasis was placed on visiting locations that held significance for Steele. One of these places was Iowa City, her hometown. Additionally, a basketball game was essential to include since attending games became a key factor in their friendship’s development. Other picturesque stops like the Grand Canyon were also planned, as they are destinations any road-trip enthusiast should consider. The recording resulted in approximately 200 hours of footage, and both Steele and Ferrell expressed confidence in Greenbaum’s handling of it. “He edited it based on his feelings and perception,” Steele explains. “He made exceptional decisions,” Ferrell concurs. “And he discovered an outstanding cinematographer [Zoë White] who primarily works in the narrative film industry.

The result of those creative decisions is a classically cinematic look and feel, which excites the duo. “I’m sure other docs that feel [this cinematic] exist. But I’m very proud of that in our movie,” Steele explains. “And I like that Josh is funny like us. But not as funny as us.”

“There’s no way,” Ferrell concurs with a grin. “Make sure you leave that in. Not as funny.”

The journey wasn’t always easy-going; amidst delightful interactions and family gatherings, there was an unpleasant incident at a steakhouse in Amarillo, Texas. There, they faced hostility. Additionally, transphobic social media attacks, depicted in the film, added to the hurt. As Ferrell notes, one of the movie’s themes is whether the country that Harper cherishes so deeply reciprocates her affection. Unfortunately, the Amarillo experience provides a disheartening response.

Nonetheless, Steele wants to make clear the identity of Will & Harper, and what it doesn’t represent in terms of trans visibility. “I feel uneasy when this movie is labeled as depicting all trans people,” she clarifies. “There are diverse trans and LGBTQ individuals from various racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. What we aim to portray is the significance of the discussions that should be held by everyone. The goal is for viewers to realize they have a queer family member, and consider how they treat them. Perhaps a movie like this can illustrate an approachable way to handle such topics using humor.” Ferrell adds, “In the film, we’re merely talking, as straightforward as that. You observe me grappling with phrasing certain things at times. ‘Am I saying it correctly?’ I hope the film will clarify that simply having a conversation about it is possible.

Learning to be vulnerable and take action

Since the production of Will & Harper, their friendship seems to have taken a turn for the worse, according to Steele jokingly. “Evolved” isn’t quite the right term, he jokes; instead, it’s more like “devolved.” As Ferrell humorously puts it, they don’t particularly enjoy each other’s company anymore. However, setting aside their playful banter, Ferrell clarifies that there hasn’t been any significant change in their relationship. They still hang out occasionally and even attended a soccer match together recently. They’re just continuing with their usual routines.

“We’re easy travel companions. Maybe we’ll go somewhere again at some point,” Steele says.

Through this experience, they have come to understand that being open and vulnerable can be incredibly potent. Often, our relationships lack this openness due to a prohibition of vulnerability. However, when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, it unlocks the potential for these friendships to grow and flourish in wonderful ways.

As Steele rightly pointed out, I fancied myself as someone advanced enough to embrace vulnerability fearlessly. However, this encounter was a unique challenge. I implore everyone to recognize the significance of backing up words with actions when it comes to championing our loved ones’ causes.

Steele articulated her perspective on such actions in an email she shared with her friends regarding her name change. “I’m not typically political,” she stated, “but as a trans woman, I find myself in the political sphere unwillingly.” She continued, “All I ask is for you to support me. I am Harper. My pronouns are ‘she/her’. If someone refers to me incorrectly, it doesn’t have to be a major issue. But please correct them gently by saying, ‘No, no, you mean ‘she’. You mean ‘her.'” Ferrell recollects feeling moved and deciding to respect her wishes.

I find it challenging, yet I admire the swiftness at which Will has embraced change. Friends of mine, similar in age, may struggle to adapt, possibly murmuring, “Apparently, he’s Harper now and prefers to be referred as ‘she.’ We might not have fully grasped it yet. But Will has swiftly transitioned to this new identity.” He is a top-tier actor, but his compassion and understanding truly set him apart as an exceptional human being.

“That’s what we’re trying to say,” Ferrell nods. “I’m C-list, but I’m an A-level human.”

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2024-09-13 15:07