Written by Andreas Babiolakis

How do you respond to a best friend who has chosen to transition? With full support, of course. Obviously, there can be something tough about saying goodbye to the loved one you once knew, but, in that same breath, it’s beautiful to rediscover them in a new way (and, in actuality, get to know the real them). Such is the premise of Josh Greenbaum’s documentary feature, Will & Harper, about two Saturday Night Live alumni (actor Will Ferrell, and writer Harper Steele). Harper transitioned shortly after the 2020 pandemic; she emailed her friend Will shortly afterward. While Will was certainly surprised, he wanted to get to know Harper for her true self, which is what brings us to Will & Harper: a documentary about a road trip between two besties across the United States. They meet other SNL friends along the way, including Will Forte and Kristen Wiig (the latter is tasked with coming up with a song about this reunion), but really this is all about Harper’s reintroduction to the world.

While there isn’t much movement in the film outside of where Will and Harper are literally driving to (what I mean is that the film is very much a series of various pitstops without ever wavering off of the concept of having Will and Harper bond), I think this documentary is a feel-good exploration of both a nation and one’s self. Harper is more comfortable than she’s ever been with herself. In that same breath, she clearly has to deal with the brunt end of bigotry, and we see a little bit of that in Will & Harper as well: as Will and other loved ones embrace their friend, others around them are far less understanding. Meanwhile, Will relishes in all of these new memories that he gets to share with Harper, and you will feel like you are a part of the ride as well.

*Will & Harper* is a lovely slideshow of road trip memories between two great friends.

There isn’t much to Will & Harper outside of watching this duo having fun whilst also engaging in some deeper discussions, but that may sound like music to your ears. This means that there aren’t any pretenses in Will & Harper either: it certainly isn’t a loaded film. If anything, Will & Harper is guaranteed to make you feel good as you watch two friends having a great time and get closer than they’ve ever been. Then there’s that Kristen Wiig song that concludes the whole picture. Titled “Harper and Will Go West,” we get a compartmentalized, musical take on what this trip means to two very special people in Kristen’s life, and its lyricism and composition both encapsulate the film quite nicely. Quirky, slightly comedic, and fully sincere, Kristen’s song is a beautiful present to Harper and Will in the same way that Josh Greenbaum’s documentary serves the same purpose: a “thank you” that allows loved ones to know that they have forever been seen, heard, and appreciated. What are all of the great sights of the United States all about if they’re not being shared with beautiful spirits?

Andreas Babiolakis has a Masters degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Ryerson University, as well as a Bachelors degree in Cinema Studies from York University. His favourite times of year are the Criterion Collection flash sales and the annual Toronto International Film Festival.