Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, (directed by Peter Ettedgui and Ian Bonhôte) ia a documentary dedicated to love and courage in the face of tragedy. For many, Christopher Reeve, the man, is the epitome of what makes a real-life superhero. His work as Superman made him synonymous with the role itself and there was a time when one could not see Reeve without seeing the DC character. It was the actor’s honesty and charm that made him the perfect fit to play Superman. Reeve was kind to his fans, gracious in interviews, and was always humble regarding his success. He was both Superman and Everyman and the world embraced him.
When Reeve was thrown from his horse, shattering his neck and leaving him completely paralyzed, It was all the more devastating, as fans and friends were overwhelmed with sadness, as this bright soul who devoured life was struck down by a fateful accident. Christopher Reeve and Superman had fallen, but there would be hope.
With his wife, Dana, by his side, Reeve defied the odds. After flatlining multiple times, after a number of life-threatening surgeries, and despite a diagnosis that found no movement and no ability to breathe on his own, the Reeves decided to fight. Fight they did, and with a resilient courage that is profoundly moving.
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is an intimate and compassionate film that is a tribute to Reeve’s spirit, and a testament to his wife, his children, and all of the friends and family who were by his side, fighting not for him, but with him.
The documentary begins on December 31, 1994 at a happy Reeve-family New Year’s Eve celebration, then moves almost immediately to the day that would change his life forever. The filmmakers were smart to put the accident in the film’s first half. It would have been manipulative to lead the audience along, going step by step through Reeve’s life and career, knowing the dark turn to come. There is no need for a dramatic punch in the filmmaking style, when one already exists in Reeve’s story.
Bonhôte and Ettedgui move back and forth through the actor’s life, documenting his rise to ’70s Hollywood superstardom, his first marriage to British modeling executive Gae Exton (with whom Reeve shares a son and daughter, Matthew and Alexandra), fatherhood, divorce, a career slump, and the meeting and instant love story with the woman who would be with him until the end, his wife Dana.
It is in Reeve’s relationship with Dana where the film finds a tender story of love and commitment that is nothing less than inspiring. The dedication between them was born from a pure place. Christopher Reeve was (self-admittedly) no saint when stardom came knocking. The actor dove into the pleasures that come with being a Hollywood star. By the time he met Dana, he had lived the lifestyle long enough. Dana was the light and grace that grounded his soul.
In one of the film’s most eloquent moments, after the accident, Reeve suggested to his wife, “Maybe we should let me go.” Dana tells her husband not to fight to stay alive for her. She will fight beside him if he is doing it for himself. It is a courageous statement that speaks to the power of their connection. If Reeve wanted to let go, Dana’s husband and father to their son, Will, would be gone. If he chooses to stay, her life (and that of her husband’s) will be a struggle until the end.
Christopher Reeve chose life. Dana, their children, and friends fought beside him.
The ultimate tragedy is that Dana Reeve succumbed to cancer less than 2 yers after the death of her husband. When the two were living, they used their combined spirits to fight for a cure so ALL people affected with paralyzation could, perhaps, walk again. The Reeve family would continue as a shining light in the world.
Close friends and colleagues are interviewed about their time with Reeve and the lasting positivity he and Dana left on their lives. As Susan Sarandon, Whoopi Goldberg, Glenn Close, and Jeff Daniels share their many memories of this young actor who found near-instant fame, the documentary shows that Reeve’s drive to succeed was there at the beginning, most likely stemming from his desire to receive validation from his disapproving scholar father.
Beyond his family, Reeve’s most powerful connection was to his dear friend and Julliard classmate, Robin Williams. The comedian and the actor complimented one another and found a lifelong friendship. Williams and his wife would throw a big party every year, on the date of Reeve’s accident, to remove the darkness from the day and help his friends get through it. Though the film doesn’t exploit it, there is something innately perceptive about these two men sharing a life, only to both be cut down by tragedy.
The filmmakers use Reeve’s actual voice to help tell his story. The narrations are taken from the actor’s audiobook recordings for his autobiography, “Still Me.” While Christopher Reeve is now gone, the emotional power of hearing his voice flows like a fond memory that fills our hearts with joy.
Heroes exist. Sometimes it takes tragedies (large scale or personal) to show the world what a real hero can do. Aided by his family and friends, Reeve refused to wallow in grief, becoming an advocate for the disabled and a tireless champion for spinal cord injury research. He and Dana’s undying journey and dedication continues to help millions of lives.
As Superman, Christopher Reeve made the world believe a man could fly. In life, he made the world believe in hope. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is a heartbreaking, yet uplifting documentary of one man’s unbreakable spirit. This is a poignant tale of a man who left behind a legacy of pure love and goodwill for all.
There is no greater gift.
The film will premiere as a Fathom Event showing on Saturday, September 21st and Wednesday, September 25th and will be available to stream on HBO Max November 25th.
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story
Written by Otto Burnham, Peter Ettedgui & Ian Bonhôte
Directed by Peter Ettedgui & Ian Bonhôte
PG-13, 104 Minutes, DC Studios, HBO Documentary Films, CNN Studios, Warner Brothers Pictures
