(Credit: The Sundance Institute)

Will Ferrell is one of those talented individuals out there whose filmography is a treasure trove of comedic gems. From playing an elf to a NASCAR driver, there is nothing this legend has not done. There is an entire generation out there who grew up watching him. However, there are rare moments where this legend has proven that he is so much more than a comic. One such milestone of his career is the film Will & Harper, which is currently streaming on Netflix.

Directed by Josh Greenbaum, this heartwarming documentary stars Ferrell and Harper Steele, a former SNL writer and his friend of 30 years. When the Old School actor found out that his dear old friend was coming out as a trans woman, he decided to take a cross-country road trip with her.

On the surface, the documentary looks like a buddy adventure where two friends are having fun, doing motel stops and diner breakfasts. But beneath all that lies an emotionally complex journey that grapples with change, struggles to find one’s identity and best of all, what it truly means to show up for someone. So it is safe to say that it is not your usual Ferrell comedy, but you will see him in a new role this time.

What makes the film more compelling is that it does not lean on Ferrell’s usual tricks. There are no funky, over-the-top costumes and no slapstick to make the audience laugh—just him being unfiltered, uncertain, and, most importantly, his true self. The 57-year-old actor does not make an attempt to make you laugh with his actions, but rather lets you sit in discomfort with him and teaches you how to enjoy it. He listens to the friend, he shows up, and that is something worth watching.

Not just him, the whole film in its totality does not lead the viewers towards a resolution. It is an honest attempt to inform people that sometimes, it is okay not to have all the answers. What is more important is that you enjoy today. You witness a long-time friend watching the other evolve into herself and learn how to maintain pace with that.

Another aspect of the film is its take on the cultural landscape, which these days is largely divided on the issues of gender and identity. The film does not force that on you; rather, it offers you a conversation about it, which is rare. No pride parades, no hashtags, just a friend navigating their feelings to the other. What makes it more powerful is that the conversations are messy. They are full of pauses, questions and sometimes awkward silences. And that is what makes it human.

For long-time Will Ferrell fans, the film might be a bit jarring at first. They might crave the usual man-child chaos, the jumps and perfectly timed punches. But what you need is to give it a few minutes, and you will see that the humour is still there, but this time, disguised as silence. So if you are looking for something real, raw and vulnerable to watch, Will & Ferrell is just the right pick.