When you hear the name Christopher Reeve, many will think of his performance in the well-known film franchise Superman, which started in 1978 and later spanned three more instalments. While Reeve also appeared in various other titles, including Remains of the Day, Deathtrap, and Street Smart, appearing as Superman remains his most iconic moment in cinematic history.
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story goes beyond showcasing the star’s rise to fame. It delves into his childhood, family life, and his experiences with love and romance. This documentary delves into the beautiful highlights and the heartbreaking challenges of his story, showing us the tragic event in 1995 when Christopher Reeve had a life-threatening accident while horse riding, leaving him paralysed. After depicting his accident, the movie then shows how Reeve embarked on a new journey, dedicating himself to advocating for spinal cord injury research and supporting individuals with disabilities.”
I grew up watching the Superman films on VHS as a young boy, but I never knew much about the actor’s journey or the tragic accident that affected Christopher Reeve and the world. The film was directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, who are known for their previous work on McQueen and Rising Phoenix. The directors are passionate storytellers about various celebrities, including musicians, actors, and athletes. In all honesty, this documentary is superb.
Throughout the entire film, I found myself experiencing a range of emotions, from pure joy to heartfelt moments that brought tears to my eyes. I also found most of the content informative, insightful, and revealing. I particularly enjoyed the old clips featuring Reeves as a family man and various footage from his career, especially as Superman. Seeing Superman on the big screen again in stunning image quality and sound gave me goosebumps and made me grin from ear to ear. The film is filled with great guest interviews, including appearances from Glenn Close, Whoopi Goldberg, Susan Sarandon, Jeff Daniels, Richard Donner, and, most importantly, Christopher Reeve’s closest friend, Robin Williams.
Overall, this documentary is a must-see. It’s incredibly informative, compelling, fun, dramatic, and heartfelt. Forget what you think you know about the actor Christopher Reeve- instead, enjoy delving deep into the actor’s life, from his childhood to becoming a family man and his rise to stardom after accepting the role of Superman. The film doesn’t shy away from the actor’s more complicated and heart-breaking moments, including the tragic accident that left him paralysed. However, thanks to love, care, and support, a new kind of strength was discovered by Reeve, and he again changed the world. As a bonus, there is plenty of old footage, film clips, and celebrity interviews. I experienced many emotions while watching, including joy and sadness, and found myself teary-eyed at many pivotal moments. It’s a film that captures your heart and fascinates you with its positive journey and charms as one man leaves behind a true superhero legacy.
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story (2024) is Now Available in Australian Cinemas!
10th October 2024
Written by Peter Walkden
THANK YOU FOR VISITING
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