In this intimate, honest, and heartfelt documentary, Will Ferrell and Harper Steele hit the open road together to process the new stage of their friendship and reintroduce Harper to the country that she loves – but as her trans-self.
Will met writer Andrew Steele on his first day at Saturday Night Live back in 1995. From that fateful first meeting in the halls of 30 Rock, Will knew he had met his match in comedy. Their friendship and creative partnership would only grow over the next 3 decades. Andrew became Harper, still her droll, sarcastic, totally honest self and when she works comedically with Ferrell, and the laughs come fast. Would they be able to bridge the gap with the evolution of their own personalities as well as physical changes over the years?
Director Josh Greenbaum (Strays, Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar) follows these intrepid road warriors as they ramble across the country. Their first stop was breakfast with Harper’s personable, cool, kids who love their Dad, and still call her Pop. They seem completely comfortable talking openly about their family relationship with Will there.
Over 16 days, the two drive from New York to LA, visiting stops across the country that were meaningful to Harper. Through laughter, tears, and many cans of beer and Pringles, they push past their comfort zones as they re-examine their relationship to these places and each other, in a new light.
Harper’s old wood-paneled Jeep is a piece of comedy in itself for their 16 day trip from NY to LA as they re-visit places Harper had previously been to as Andrew. Harper says she loves this country and set out to see if the country will love her back.
At the outset, there is the apprehension and tension running just below the surface questioning whether they have the same intense connection and friendship as they did when making audiences and each other at SNL. Would they still be best friends now that Harper went through her transformation. Changing gender is no easy task, mentally and emotionally, and as perceived by others in what had been familiar surroundings.
Harper is getting more comfortable trying to find her comfort zone, willing to put herself in front of other people. The place where they experienced those most friendly and accepting was at a dive bar in rural Oklahoma. She wanted to go in by herself, with Will as backup if she felt threatened. Harper engaged women first who were cordial, followed by a few Indigenous men who joined them. She was open, talking about her transformation. Then, Harper called Will to come on in, and the men serenaded them with a native chant. It was all very warm, charming and surprising.
The worst encounter took place in Texas, at the home of the 72 oz. steak that’s free if you down it with all the trimmings within one hour. Perhaps the weakest moment in the film is when Will tries too hard to be funny, in costume, and falls back into his whacky comic persona. Not only did Will’s humor not work here, but it put Harper on display and in the glare of an unfriendly audience. It hurt Harper and resulted in nasty social media posts targeting both of them.
There are plenty of fun times bantering in the car and even more connection just pulling out camping chairs at the side of the road, on a bluff, at the Grand Canyon, or the beach at Santa Monica, to talk while sipping beers. And fun with Will Forte taking a hot-air balloon ride in New Mexico, and a mani pedi with Molly Shannon in LA. It ends with a jazzy, funny, sentimental song Will and Harper badgered Kristin Wiig to write and perform you can enjoy over the credits.
Will’s running joke about Dunkin’ Donuts kept us laughing, but there are many empathetic, teary moments, too. With all of the antics, Director Greenbaum bravely frames an undeniable friendship based on acceptance, and respect.
Netflix 1 hour 54 minutes R
