Will and Harper (Netflix)- A Film That Should Feel More Like It Is About Harper
First, a big thank you to anyone who checks out my video, with any likes, comments, and subscribes. I definitely enjoyed Will and Harper, which premiered a few weeks ago on Netflix, and centers on this relationship that Will Ferrell has with his friend, a former Saturday Night Live writer, who now lives authentically as a trans woman. Of course, the dynamic between the two feels like two old friends on a road trip, which is what this is. Will has decided that Harper can get out and explore the world, so he devotes time to helping his friend figure out her new life.
A lot of this works rather well. The elephant in the room is also such a big part of the story. It feels like we need more Harper, and more from her perspective. Considering the projects she has written for, a documentary about her, even simply produced by Ferrell likely would have gotten onto Netflix. Hell, this could have been Ferrell’s directorial debut.
But, it feels almost too easy. there are scenes where you already have a trans woman in a space, trying to see if the world will accept her as herself in such a volatile time for the transgender community, and the conversations we get are mostly accepting. And then, before there’s even a chance, Will Ferrell walks in. So, even if you wanted to make a stand, it becomes all about this huge movie star standing in the bar in some town in middle America.
There’s conflict, sure. the duo attends a basketball game, which causes online backlash, because it is always easier to say shit online than in person. God, could you imagine if every critic had to give their feedback to the filmmakers? Jesus. No one would do this. But, that distance gives empowerment. And, it is a lot easier to hide behind a screen name and yell at Will Ferrell, when those people likely would be really stoked to meet him.
So, I’m not sure this is Harper’s film in the way that it should be. One of the best parts about being blind in this specific instance is going through this with just the audio description of Harper. Other programs that have had trans characters before have talked about the concept of passing, and because I have family that is either phobic of anything related to LGBT issues, or even people who consider themselves allies, but still have problematic ideas, I’m glad that passing is not ever a factor, in either the audio description, or how the movie is edited. there’s a misconception that feminine men are the ones who identify as a woman, but that is just a total lack of understanding of what transgenderness is. The track just presents Harper as a woman, with correct pronouns, and that’s great. For the first time, I’m happy we don’t get someone trying to over describe someone, because I’d be afraid of how cisgender writers could formulate that perhaps without feedback from the transgender community.
Now, there’s some description of clothing, sure. And that’s great. Everyone can dress up and hit the town. I’m thinking that the Oscars aren’t going to go for this, but really in this lineup, they could use a documentary putting transgenderness center stage. It could make the shortlist, it just depends on how many other documentaries like this we get this year. Check it out either way.
Final Grade: A-
