Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story Review
September 25th, 2024, an important day for fans of Superman worldwide. On this day, family, friends, fans, celebrities and politicians get up and send social media posts, video messages, calls and texts all wishing the same person a happy birthday. For that man is Christopher Reeve, the man who became famous for playing the Man of Steel for almost a decade. While his career hit a snag after the films for a time, the explosion of popularity of superhero films gave him renewed focus in the spotlight. At age 72, he’s more popular than ever; happy, healthy, and surrounded by people who all love him.
If such a thing like the multiverse does exist, then somewhere in it, there’s likely a universe where what I just described is true. But as we know, it wasn’t meant to be. Crippled from the neck down in 1995, Christopher Reeve would pass away in 2004. But even 20 years after his death, the legacy he left behind continues to make the world a better place. While he may have inspired people onscreen as the Man of Steel, in real life, he dedicated himself to fighting to make the world a better place. And even after his near-fatal accident robbed him of the ability to move, he fought for those who had disabilities. Twenty years after his passing, those who knew him have come together to create what may be one of the most moving documentaries of a man’s life I have ever seen. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story reaffirms that, despite being only human, both onscreen and real life, Christopher Reeve was a hero.
Christopher Reeve Was as Human as Anyone Else
Written by Ian Bonhôte, Peter Ettedgui, and Otto Burnham with the former two directing it, Super/Man is a restrospective on the life of the late actor, as told by those who knew him. Interspersed between footage of his films and public appearances, Christopher’s family and friends, many of whom are also noteworthy celebrities, tell a story that doesn’t mince words about hard his life was, even before his accident. Growing up in a broken family left him averse to the idea of marriage for much of his adult life. His role as Superman made an international superstar, but like so many actors, he became a victim of typecasting. He almost gave up on life when he learned his accident left him quadriplegic. And while he found a new purpose in his advocacy for people with disabilities, it still took an emotional toll on himself and his family.
In one particularly heart-wrenching scene, his son Will reads an entry from his mother’s journals about how she used warm towels, fresh from the dryer, as solace since her husband could no longer feel her touch. Afterwards, she had to dry the top one some more, for it was now damp with her tears. While Christopher Reeve and his late wife did their best to give people hope in public, even they weren’t above the pain their circumstances brought to them.
I actually heard rumors that ushers were asked to provide tissues for people coming out of movie for those who needed them. While the theater I went to didn’t do that, I can understand why.
The Robin Williams Bromance Got to Me
As sad as things sound, Super/Man refuses to frame Christopher Reeve’s life as a tragedy or something to pity. Nor was it something that he had to go through alone. And while everyone interviewed speaks highly of him in the documentary, they all speak about the person who was closest to him and the role he played in his life: Robin Williams.
I’ve been a fan of the late legendary actor for most of my life, but until I saw the trailer for this film, I had no clue he and Christopher Reeve were best friends. They were that classic comedic odd-couple, with Chris serving as Robin’s straight man. The film makes it a point to bring up time and again how the two were practically brothers, and how Robin went out of his way to give Chris the will to live through his comedy. In one particular moment, Glenn Close admits on-camera that she thinks if Chris was still alive, then so would Robin.
That moment really got to me; I almost cried hearing it. Ten years since Robin Williams committed suicide, and his death still hurts to think about. The world truly lost two great men in Christopher and Robin. Even so, I refuse to think of their lives as tragedies.
Superman or Not, Christopher Reeve Was a Hero
Christopher Reeve may be gone, but as the film’s ending demonstrates, his legacy, both as Superman and himself, has changed the world for the better. Medical advancements have progressed enough that people like Christopher are becoming able to walk again. The film does point out how his pushing for a cure for physical disabilities was criticized as insensitive or a desire to walk again, I don’t think he was wrong to think like that. He knew how important it was to not give up hope, and while others might have, he never did. And he was right in the end!
I know it’s not possible for everyone to see Super/Man in theaters, given its limited release time. However, whenever it becomes available for streaming or rent, I recommend watching it. It’s a story of a remarkable man who changed the world for the better. A man who was a hero both on the screen and off it. A man who truly embodied what it meant to be Superman
