Suck It

Recently, Will Ferrell expressed some strong opinions towards the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences following the omission of his Netflix documentary, “Will & Harper”, from the Oscar nominations.

Under the guidance of director Josh Greenbaum, this documentary chronicles the journey of Will Ferrell and his longtime friend Harper Steele during a 17-day road trip following Steele’s gender transition. It garnered numerous nominations and awards towards the end of 2024; however, surprisingly, it was overlooked by the Academy this year.

On The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (as shown below), the main host praised Will & Harper highly, describing it as “beautiful, timely, and heartfelt”. He also mentioned that it was “one of the best things” he had ever been a part of. When Colbert asked if they had received an Oscar nomination, Ferrell replied that they hadn’t.

As a movie enthusiast, let me express that last night, the late-night host didn’t mince words when he exclaimed, “Well, they really dropped the ball on this one, didn’t they? I mean, come on, it’s the Academy we’re talking about here!” This was a humorous jab, in my opinion, directed at the unseen decision-makers responsible for the documentary category nominations at this year’s Academy Awards.

Particularly the Documentary division, often referred to as the Doc Branch of the Academy. It’s not exactly a popular crowd; they might even be here tonight. Frankly, I wouldn’t choose to associate with them. However, if you’re part of the Documentary branch — consider this a challenge!

Even though it’s all about good spirits, it must feel a bit disappointing for Ferrell, Steele, and Greenbaum not to receive an Oscar nomination, considering their film was recognized as one of the Top 5 documentaries of 2024 by the National Board of Review, and won multiple awards such as Best Documentary Feature at the Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards, the Florida Film Critics Circle, and the Austin Film Critics Association.

In light of the current Trump administration’s efforts to curtail LGBTQ+ and especially transgender rights, Will & Harper has become even more significant. Regardless of its awards season standing, this Netflix documentary remains a crucial watch, maybe even more so now than when it was initially released last year.

Critics and Fans Had Nothing But Good Things to Say About ‘Will & Harper’

Regardless of missing an Academy Award nomination, everyone associated with the film “Will & Harper” should be proud for crafting a highly-acclaimed documentary that resonated widely among viewers and critics alike. On Rotten Tomatoes, it boasts a 99% approval rating, with Max Weiss from Baltimore Magazine describing it as “a thought-provoking piece that enhances one’s perspective of the world and its inhabitants, leaving everyone feeling uplifted.” Alissa Wilkinson from the New York Times concurred, expressing similar sentiments and adding additional praise.

This film is the type that one hopes everyone would enjoy, and it could be an engaging and enjoyable experience for most people who approach it with an open mind.

Many viewers also found the documentary captivating, with its Popcornmenter scoring an impressive 81% on Rotten Tomatoes. One fan commented, “This movie has given me a deeper understanding and admiration for Will Ferrell. I didn’t know much about Harper before watching, but her authenticity shines through and moved me deeply.” Another user praised the film, saying, “It’s a story everyone should witness. It beautifully illustrates the importance of friendship and the struggle to be true to oneself.

If you haven’t had a chance to watch it yet, feel free to catch up with “Will & Harper” streaming live on Netflix right now. And don’t forget to tune in to Will Ferrell’s latest comedy, “You’re Cordially Invited”, which is readily available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

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2025-02-05 21:02