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In the midst of the pandemic, Will Ferrell received an email from an old friend. They had met in 1995 when both joined the sketch show institution Saturday Night Live – he was an actor, she was a writer. She defended his talent from those who doubted him, then wrote many of his best sketches and together they worked on a series of films, from My father’s house To Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of the Fire SagaAnd now she had something very important to say: At age 61, she was ready to tell him – and the world – that she was trans. She would later call herself Harper Steele.

Will and Harpera Netflix documentary directed by her boyfriend, Barb and Star go to Vista Del MarThe show’s Josh Greenbaum shows us what happened next. Steele and Ferrell drove from New York City to Los Angeles, through Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Texas, Arizona and Nevada. Harper had been making these cross-country trips her entire life, but now, as an openly transgender woman, she wondered what might have changed, if these places would see and treat her the same way. “I love this country so much,” she tells the camera. “I just don’t know if it loves me back.”

Steele and Ferrell are comedians. And their documentary stays true to character: warmly funny (there’s a lengthy, surreal bit about the Pringles flavor palette), sentimental and slightly innocent, in a way that people would associate with the latter’s childlike screen persona. It’s also quite showbiz, with a 15-person crew behind the camera; a palpable awareness of how certain moments are staged, filmed and inserted into a traditional narrative; and guest appearances from the likes of Tracy Morgan, Tina Fey, Will Forte and Molly Shannon. Kristen Wiig appears by phone and promises to write the duo a theme tune.

So there is an inevitable feeling of achievement, Will and Harper. Nothing here is fake or dishonest, but both people are storytellers by nature and they are never completely detached from the camera in front of them. They know what kind of story needs to be told and what vulnerability is required of them as they begin a new chapter in their friendship. What has changed between them, if anything? The answer, when they find her, is truly beautiful.

For trans viewers, Steele is candid about the early stages of her journey. She begins to reframe her relationship with the traditionally male spaces she’s always loved to frequent, sports arenas and biker bars, while realizing that kindness and cruelty know no boundaries. Ferrell, on the other hand, is determined to be a good ally. At a basketball game, he is introduced to Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, only to later find out that he has been pushing for anti-trans legislation. The actor is frustrated that he hasn’t confronted him on the issue.

Holcomb was polite to Steele, as they both realize, because her friend is a celebrity. Steele’s proximity to fame is crucial, both as an advantage and a disadvantage. There’s a tense moment in a Texas steakhouse after the actor, in an urge to clown, dresses as Sherlock Holmes and tries to taste a 72-ounce steak.

The next day, he breaks down when he realizes that the revelation may have put Steele in danger. As she puts it, “I felt like my transsexuality was being put on display.” Not many friendships are tested because someone dresses up as a literary detective in public. But it is refreshing in some ways that Will and Harper doesn’t try so hard to trumpet its power of identification. That’s not necessary either. It stays true to its core.

Director: Josh Greenbaum. Cast: Will Ferrell, Harper Steele. 15, 114 min.

“Will & Harper” will be in selected cinemas from September 13th and on Netflix from September 27th