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Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is a heartfelt and mind-blowing documentary about Superman actor Christopher Reeve and his legacy. Directed by Ian Bonhote and Peter Ettedgui, this film explores Reeve’s exciting career, the challenges he faced after his tragic accident, and how he overcame them.
A Legacy Celebrated
Going into the film, I expected a mix of emotion and inspiration, and it delivered. From the film’s start, it was clear that this movie would tug at the viewers’ heartstrings. The use of Reeve’s audio narration along with his children—William Reeve, Matthew Reeve, and Alexandra Reeve Givens—being the main storytellers, prepared audiences for a personal and emotional tribute.
The film does a great job of capturing Reeve’s legacy. The documentary is told through the voices of those closest to him. We see interviews with his children, friends, and co-stars, including celebrities like Glenn Close, Jeff Daniels, Whoopi Goldberg, and Susan Sarandon. Their stories give us a closer look into Reeve’s life, not only as a legendary actor but also as a father, a friend, and an advocate.
The inclusion of Reeve’s audio throughout the film made it feel as though he was narrating the story himself. This decision along with the use of home videos from his family life, created a deep connection with the audience. It felt personal and incredibly powerful.
This film didn’t shy away from emotional moments. In fact, there were many points that tugged at the heartstrings. One particularly touching scene involved Reeve’s son, Will, reading a letter from his mother—this moment brought tears to my eyes. The film also dives into the powerful friendship between Reeve and Robin Williams. Glenn Close stated that Williams might still be with us if Reeve were still alive. These personal stories made the film more than just a documentary. It was also the celebration of Reeve’s remarkable life.
Visual Storytelling
While the film followed a familiar documentary format, it also included some symbolic visuals that set it apart from other documentaries. One recurring visual was the depiction of a statue of Reeve flying through space. This image was used throughout the film, with the statue heroically highlighted during significant moments, like when the topic of family or triumphs arose. The visual metaphor of kryptonite in his body during the scenes about his accident was both powerful and brilliant. It reminded us of Reeve’s iconic role as Superman while grounding his story in the reality of his struggles.
The use of tears helped set the tone of the film. The filmmakers zoomed in on tears during interviews and footage of people around Reeve during his career. This ensured that the emotional weight of the film was palpable. Every tear felt significant, showing us just how deeply Reeve affected those around him.
Final Thoughts
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story leaves you with several powerful messages. One message is that, even when life hits rock bottom, there is always a way back up. The film also shows the importance of family and the significance of helping others, which was a central theme in Reeve’s life after his accident. This is not just a movie for Superman fans, but a film for anyone who believes in hope.
With Christopher Reeve’s kindness along with his dedication to making the world a better place, this documentary showed us that he is Superman both on and off screen. For fans of Christopher Reeve, and even those unfamiliar with his story, this film is a must-watch. It’s a testament to hope, resilience, and the power of family.
4.5/5 Stars
This has been a review by Ben Schubert. To find Ben by searching @Schubydoobert on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok!
