DOCUMENTARY REVIEW: WILL & HARPER

4/5

Will & Grace

114 Mins. Starring: Will Ferrell & Harper Steele. Director: Josh Greenbaum. On: Netflix.

You know what it's like when you haven't seen an old friend in a while. The pandemic sure paid hell to all of that. Times, like people, change. And when you reunite, sometimes, there really is a lot that you must get caught up with. 'Anchorman', 'Talladega Nights' and 'Blades Of Glory' funny man Will Ferrell hadn't seen his good friend, Harper Steele, in quite some time. They had each other's backs in the Saturday Night Live salad days, when Ferrell played everyone from Robert Goulet and Chicago Cubs announcer Harry Caray, thanks to Steele's razor-sharp writing. Maybe the last time was during the filming of the Netflix comedy they co-wrote, 'Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga', and they're not afraid to stick it to their misfire. Even if they reunite for the streaming service documentary, 'Will & Harper', a 40th Sundance Film Festival favourite.

In that time, Harper has transitioned to become a trans woman, and to seek understanding and to see the journey Steele has been on, where there is a Will, there is a way. As the 'Road Trip' star travels across America with his dear friend in a Josh Greenbaum ('The Short Game', 'Too Funny To Fail') directed documentary, with plenty of drama to go with those helpings of humour and heart that looks to make a few stops on the awards circuit. DC, Texas and LA, with all the road stops in-between, Harper takes Will to all the old dive bar and favourite haunts that are usually covered with confederate flags instead of multicoloured ones. From magnificent malls where people dreamed of equality, to Indiana Pacer NBA games looking for change, Will and Harper try to find how many places in the States are united in their cause. One heartbreaking moment over a Sherlock steak challenge goes down with more of a struggle than that time late legend John Candy ate his cube by cube in 'The Great Outdoors'. But another moment at a bar and track will just leave you in tears.

Driving through it all, 'Will & Harper' isn't just a document on the current landscape of America and life in this modern day as a member of the LGBTQ community. It's also a story of friendship and a great American road movie, released just after 'Are You Sure' on Disney +, featuring BTS members Jung Kook and Jimin sharing moments on the road again before their mandatory military service for South Korea. "Thelma and Louise, with a little less death" (but just as many breasts), as one friend and SNL alum says in a sweet swansong. We won't spoil which members of the esteemed cast (who have their own 'Saturday Night' movie out this week too) show up, from nail salons to hot air balloons, but we will say, everybody has Harper's back. Stronger than steel. And how about that parting gift by the beach? The grace of Will and Harper on this 17-day trip, shows you that two friends remain as such, no matter how long it's been. Accepting what's come between. No matter what or who. Now, about 'The Story Of Fire Saga'. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga', 'Saturday Night', 'Are You Sure?'.