Will Ferrell started crying on Sunday night when director Josh Greenbaum praised the love he and former director Will Ferrell had. saturday night live Author Harper Steele brings it to the screen in new Netflix film will and harper.
In the film, Ferrell reconnects with his old friend, who spent the first 61 years of her life living as a man. Determined to be his truest self, Steele was invited by Ferrell to embark on a road trip across America. Featuring cameos, the film is both hilarious and poignant. The tenderness of their relationship is touching and palpable as the pair’s friendship—and Harper, her newfound femininity—traverse various stops along the way.
“I don’t want to make a mistake, I don’t want to ask the wrong way,” Ferrell admitted during a Q&A at a London preview of the film. “We just wanted to capture a conversation between two friends and bring it down to such a level that hopefully the audience would listen to me stumble through asking my dear friend these questions… She gave me permission to make these mistakes and encouraged me to ask Let’s go.
There were some less dry eyes in the room when Greenbaum paid tribute to Ferrell and Steele for their involvement. “I have such love for him, for both of these people, and that was a gift I had to express in the film.
“But I just hope [Ferrell] Continue to get all the love he deserves,” Greenbaum continued. “Because he brought so much good to the world. Sometimes we often think comedians bring joy and love to our lives and make our daily lives easier, so I hope he feels that. When Fei As Lehr wiped away tears, Steele softened the heartfelt sentiment and joked, “What the hell is this? “
After Ferrell said the trio had made stops at Sundance, the Toronto Film Festival and the Telluride Film Festival, Steele spoke of his emotional state in London. “Before the pandemic, Will and I were in London filming a film about the Eurovision Song Contest,” she said. “I was on the cusp of this experience, but it was a difficult time for me in London. Walking around London to get my [U.K. bakery chain] Greggs Sausage is like myself, finally, and what a joy it is. Thanks.
Ferrell was asked about the highlights of the 16-day trip with Steele. “Every day has a highlight,” he said. “We always try to make each other laugh. Highlights include Harper showing us a photo of herself riding a unicycle, the way she used to walk around Iowa City only to end up in front of her childhood house, and this Young people show up on unicycles…it’s crazy.
“They didn’t recognize me though,” he continued, to laughter from the BFI South Bank audience, “and then Harper got on this unicycle in high heels. During this time we happened to meet a retired therapist in the Grand Canyon. Teacher, she was trying to make up for a situation she felt she didn’t know how to handle, and Harper gave her comfort. I surprised Harper with my swim trunks in the pool… so many highlights.
will and harperThe film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January and will be available to stream on Netflix on September 27.
