Super/Man – The Christopher Reeve Story, 2024.
Directed by Ian Bonhôte & Peter Ettedgui.
Featuring Christopher Reeve, Dana Reeve, Alexandra Reeve Givens, Matthew Reeve, Will Reeve, Gae Sexton, Glenn Close, Jeff Daniels, Whoopi Goldberg, John Kerry, Brooke Ellison, Steven Kirshblum, Richard Donner, Susan Sarandon, Robin Williams, Bill Clinton, Johnny Carson, Jane Seymour, Barack Obama, and Alexandra Reeve Givens.
SYNOPSIS:
Reeve’s rise to becoming a film star follows with a near-fatal horse-riding accident in 1995 that left him paralyzed from the neck down. After the accident, he became an activist for spinal cord injury treatments and disability rights.
Christopher Reeve shot to stardom as Superman in the late 70s and throughout the 1980s , an icon for fans the world over. Of course his life took a tragic turn when was paralyzed from the neck down following a horse riding accident 1995. He devoted the last decade of his life to raising awareness for spinal injuries, helping fund pioneering research alongside his wife Dana. While Reeve died in 2004, he remains a vital figure in the history of modern Hollywood, his story is now explored in Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story from directors Ian Bonhôte & Peter Ettedgui. It is an examination of the man away from Superman, exploring his wider filmography and resilience in the face of adversity. It is a raw, unflinching look at the difficulties he and his family faced but a rewarding watch, especially for long term fans of Reeve.
For those solely familiar with Reeve’s turn as the man of steel there is plenty to glean from this film from his work outside of the franchise in the likes of Somewhere In Time and Monsignor, clearly showing how frustrated he had become by the trappings of a franchise and associated fame. It is a shame his role in the stellar Remains of The Day isn’t mentioned more but that is a small blight and it would be hard to cover the entirety of his career in 1hr40 minutes while covering his familial life and charitable work.
There are plenty of fascinating anecdotes from his almost brotherly bond with Robin Williams, explored frequently, showing how much the two meant to each other. He led an incredibly active life, making his accident all the more shocking but the film really captures his determination to overcome his obstacles and continue to work, directing his first feature in 1997 In the Gloaming to a strong reception starring Glenn Close and Whoopi Goldberg.
It is the focus on his family that really makes the film hit home emotionally showing how close the family became after his accident having been split between two homes prior with his wife Dana and young son Will, who was three at the time of the accident. We get a real sense of how Dana dedicated her life to caring for the pair. His children Alexandra, Will and Matthew give a raw, earnest depiction of their father at various stages in their life with a clear sense of warmth and a determination to carry on the work of his and Dana’s foundation.
Super/Man is an emotional watch, but one filled with plenty of warmth and care and a loving tribute to Christopher Reeve. Long term fans will of course find plenty to enjoy but it will be accessible to those less familiar with his work and is a life-affirming tale of endurance and the power of the human spirit. It is informative and powerful but with plenty of laughs along the way.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★
Chris Connor
