Christopher D'Olier Reeve was born on September 25, 1952, and died on October 10, 2004. In the 52 years between his birth and his death, he became a worldwide box-office success as the title role in the Superman movies. He also became a household name as an advocate for persons with disabilities after he fell off a horse and became a quadriplegic. Through The Christopher Reeve Foundation (later renamed The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation) millions have been raised for research, and advocacy for people with disabilities. President Obama even signed the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Act in 2009 to advance research, rehabilitation, and quality of life initiatives. All of this and more is addressed in the new documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story.
In the 1970's Reeve was a student at Julliard along with Robin Williams (Good Morning Vietnam). There they formed a lifelong friendship while both were working acting in off-broadway productions. In 1978, Reeve was in the play My Life with William Hurt (A History of Violence) and Jeff Daniels (The Newsroom) when he flew to England to audition for Superman - the role that changed his life forever. Besides becoming a "star" seemingly overnight, Reeve met and dated British Modeling Executive Gae Exton with whom he would have two children (Matthew and Alexandra). However, after ten years together the couple separated and Reeve returned to the United States.
Despite other film roles, Reeve only found success with Superman, much to his dismay. While some of his other movies received critical acclaim, none were very commercially successful. According to the documentary, Reeve was proud of the original Superman movie but by number three and number four he was disheartened and the films didn't make much at the box office. Meanwhile, Reeve found happiness with Dana Morosini and the two had a son Will in 1992. The documentary discusses all of these elements through interviews with those involved, intermixed with home videos and media footage.
The documentary also spends ample time discussing Reeve's injury and his life before and after the injury. Videos show him as an able-bodied man, playing with his kids and on movie sets, as well as, his initial weeks in the hospital and therapy. It shows the team effort it took to get him to the Oscar Awards in 1996. Through the footage, we see Reeve's humor, determination, and love for life, family and friends.
The videos also showed another side of Reeve which is corroborated by his family, friends, and his children. Many may not know that he was commitment-phobic after having grown up as a child of divorce. He and his children also discuss Reeve's need for approval from his father, something that was not often given. There are also numerous interviews with Dana as she stood by Christopher throughout his injury until the end of his life.
Directed by Ian Bonhôte (Rising Phoenix) and Peter Ettedgui (Rising Phoenix), the movie offers insight into Reeve, his children, and his friendships. Actors/friends Whoopi Goldberg (Ghost), Glenn Close (Guardians of the Galaxy), Daniels, Susan Sarandon (Thelma & Louise), etc. discuss his personal and professional life, as well as, the person he was to those around him. They talked about his beliefs and his work ethic whether it was in conjunction with a movie, his family, or rehabilitation after his injury.
The hour and forty minute run time gives the viewer an in-depth look at Reeve's heyday down to his struggles at the very end. It will give you a new perspective on his life (and those who have quadriplegia) and you will be hard-pressed to find anyone walking out of the theater who didn't shed at least one tear. While many thought of him as a superhero, in the end, he was just a man with the power of hope and resilience on his side.
Grade: A
