Sundance 2024: ‘Will & Harper’ is a Great Doc About Two Mates
by Alex Billington
January 23, 2024
There may be an impressive documentary movie that simply premiered on the 2024 Sundance Movie Competition referred to as Will & Harper, that includes the long-lasting actor / comic Will Ferrell and his good friend Harper Steele. It is a highway journey movie, following the 2 as they embark upon a journey throughout the USA of America, from New York Metropolis to California. Nonetheless, this movie is way more vital that only a highway journey story. Will discovered that his good good friend had just lately transitioned into a lady, and he did not fairly know the best way to take care of the state of affairs correctly. So he proposed this concept to her and so they resolve to get a documentary movie crew to comply with them alongside as they speak and drive and have an excellent time. It turned out great. It looks like Will & Harper is a watershed second for trans visibility and allyship. It might truly trigger actual change. It is an emotionally sincere, stunning, genuine, uplifting movie about two good pals studying to develop and discover themselves collectively. The viewers gave this an prompt standing ovation on the finish – not a standard factor at Sundance.
Will & Harper is directed by filmmaker Josh Greenbaum, a comedy director behind the opposite movies Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar and Strays most just lately. There’s a digital camera strapped to the entrance of the outdated Jeep that Harper brings alongside to drive round in, and there is additionally a doc crew following them and taking pictures further pictures. It isn’t precisely cinéma vérité nevertheless it all appears genuine. Will needs to go on this highway journey to spend time along with his good friend, who he first met 27 years earlier than whereas engaged on “Saturday Night time Dwell”. He needs to be taught extra about her transition, and ask her a bunch of a questions that you simply’re not presupposed to ask trans individuals. There is a clear narrative inside the movie that looks like they do wish to let this friendship and Will’s openness act for example for bigoted individuals who simply cannot settle for letting individuals be who they are surely deep down. It is also an opportunity for everybody to see how simple this acceptance might be. There are numerous conversations within the movie about precisely this notion, as they drive round to varied American cities, eat meals (many cans of Pringles ha), and meet up with plenty of different individuals, together with outdated pals and Harper’s household.
It’s unfair to criticize this movie with the declare that it would not do sufficient to correctly seize the expertise of trans individuals residing in America proper now (as conservatives make terrible strikes in opposition to them). This is not what the movie must be, and it is not what it is making an attempt to be, nor does it need to be the definitive movie to point out this. As an alternative, it’s merely concerning the relationship and connection between Will and Harper, and it’s way more vital that they seize this authentically and present their stunning friendship. That is the place the movie’s nice energy to alter is discovered and likewise the place the movie really succeeds. It is a rare documentary as a result of it’s so pleasant and amusing and pleasant to look at. There may be an fascinating query surrounding whether or not Will Ferrell, a particularly gifted actor, is performing for the digital camera in some scenes. And there may be an intriguing quantity of scenes that contain his fame and the assist / cash he has as a approach of offering a protected and clear path for Harper to journey down as she steps out additional into the world together with her actual self on show. None of those questions take away from the movie’s success, they add extra depth to the dialog.
As anticipated when spending time with Will Ferrell and a comedy author, there are hilarious scenes scattered all through. The very best jokes are spontaneous and actual, real and intelligent, and can depart you with a huge smile. It is complimented by an distinctive soundtrack of traditional highway journey songs that make this complete movie a correct cinematic expertise. There are heartfelt moments, unhappy moments, humorous moments, blissful moments, all of those experiences which can be vital to residing a well-rounded life. And all of it feels prefer it matches so properly collectively inside this easy-going narrative package deal that Josh Greenbaum and his workforce have crafted. After all there’s tons of footage left on the slicing room flooring, although what they do present us is just about excellent. There’s not a lot I can consider that will make this movie any higher. It is as touching and as rousing as any movie might be. And it has the facility to alter lives. It is informed with such openness, with such an enormous coronary heart, with none need to make it really feel like something however a celebration of affection and friendship. It is a triumph in each approach.
Alex’s Sundance 2024 Ranking: 10 out of 10
Comply with Alex on Twitter – @firstshowing / Or Letterboxd – @firstshowing
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