Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story

• Directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui
• January 19, 2024 (Sundance) / September 21, 2024 (US) / November 1, 2024 (UK)

The story of Christopher Reeve after the horse-riding accident that left him paralyzed focusing his work for disability rights.

After I began revisiting the Reeve Era Superman films, I felt a strong need to watch the documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story which focuses mostly on Reeve’s life after the accident but spends some if not as much time on his life before the accident.

We get a look at some of his early life with hints along the way from friends and family that things for Reeve from the Reeve faction may have been much worse before and during the actor’s life. Exploring that may have made this much more salacious than the uplifting story they were aiming for but you never tease juicy gossip and leave the audience hanging!

There is a sense of hope and strength in this documentary. Despite his flaws (I think his apparent early disinterest in his first two kids is a flaw) when confronted with a situation where others would have given up, he found new purpose in fighting for disability rights and working for research. Like all heroes he did not collapse and give up. He faced the challenge and found a type of victory in continuing on.

Considering he will always be Superman the motif of the Man of Steel and kryptonite gets used in various ways. The green glow of kryptonite or the growth of crystals hint at this or that and also breaks up sections of the movie.

Using archival audio recordings and old interviews of Reeve, who passed in 2004, there’s a sense that while he was grateful for the part of Superman he was maybe a touch resentful. It’s not stated by him directly but implied by others. No matter what he did it was always there behind him. The mixing of the recordings is so well done it is hard to believe Reeve did not narrate this. The use of his audiobooks Still Me and Nothing Is Impossible is smooth and perfect. This does not shirk away from how his death hit others specifically his friend Robin Williams.

Glenn Close and the moments that connect to Williams imply the actor would still be here if Reeve had not passed. Reeve and Williams connection is on full display in the archival footage and William’s eulogy at his friend’s funeral.

This could’ve been very easily become more than despairing but it’s hopeful. Reeve left a positive legacy on the world and by the end you can see it with the closing making you want to stand and cheer.

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is an excellent uplifting documentary. You get a good look at him and by the end realize he truly was a hero.