Certain actors hold a special place in my heart and Christopher Reeve is one of those, so I’m grateful that I saw this film on the big screen on his birthday on Sept 25. My first theatrical experience when I was a toddler was Superman: The Movie. My parents got divorced when I was only three years old, so the film became the perfect escapism for me. Christopher Reeve remains the only actor I’ve ever written fan mail to, and he replied with two autographed photos.

The film touched upon Reeve’s upbringing in New York, and his complicated relationship with his stern father Franklin whom he bore a striking resemblance to. He got his start in theater after he graduated from the prestigious Juilliard School (where he met his BFF Robin Williams), but his career went on a stratospheric rise when he was cast as Superman. His performance was so iconic that no other actor could surpass his take on the DC superhero; he will always be my Superman. That said, he didn’t want to be typecast and sought out roles that showcased his range.

Reeve with Michael Caine in Deathtrap

The world was in shock when Reeve became paralyzed from the neck down after a horseback riding accident in 1995. While I’ve read/watched news about the freak accident, hearing his own family tell the story is even more heart-wrenching. All three of his children: Alexandra Reeve Givens, Matthew Reeve, and Will Reeve share their perspectives of what happened that fateful day. This is the first time I ever heard from former model Gae Exton, Chris’ longtime partner and the mother of Alexandra and Matthew. Though Exton and Reeve never married, she was an important figure in Chris’ life during his rise to fame with the first Superman film.

Christopher Reeve’s story wouldn’t be complete without his wife Dana Reeve. She was as much a super figure in this story, a truly heroic and altruistic woman who put others’ needs above hers. She courageously juggled being a wife, mother, and caregiver post her husband’s accident and did it all with such grace and kindness. The words she said to her husband were what convinced him his life still had value… ‘You’re still you, and I love you.’ 

The interviews with Reeve’s children are quite illuminating, the film shows the tight-knit bond they have with each other. The interviews with Reeve’s kids really shed light on their close relationship. The film features some rare home videos of the family having fun together, and it also highlights how they deal with life after the accident. The doc doesn’t hold back on the darkest moments, featuring some raw images and videos of Chris at his lowest moments when he was at his lowest after the accident, detailing how close he was to throwing in the towel at times. I also teared up when Will talked about what his mother Dana truly lost after his dad’s accident.

Filmmakers Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui crafted a great blend of personal family stories and Reeve’s activism, plus a fascinating behind-the-scenes of the Superman movie. I never get tired of checking out BTS clips of that film and listening to Richard Donner, even if I’ve seen them countless times. While I realize that many famous actors were interested in playing Superman, there were a couple of surprising people who were vying for the role, including Neil Diamond??

I love how the documentary incorporated the superhero theme in its visuals. There’s a cool CGI animation of a superhero figure in Reeve’s likeness, and it utilizes Kryptonite to creatively illustrate his spinal cord injury. The score by Ilan Eshkeri incorporates some rousing heroic motifs as well. Thanks to his audiobook Still Me, we get to hear Chris’ own voice narrating his own story.

Reeve’s celebrity friends who knew him well gave insight into what kind of man he was off-screen. Some of those include Glenn Close, Susan Sarandon, Whoopi Goldberg, and Jeff Daniels. The interviews were well staged and interwoven with various relevant clips to keep the film engaging throughout. It was especially fun hearing Daniels talk about being on stage with Reeve where they play lovers (in Lanford Wilson’s Fifth Of July). Daniels also shared an amusing anecdote about what William Hurt (who also studied at Juilliard) said to Reeve when he got a call to audition for Superman.

All the bits involving Robin Williams are especially heartbreaking. I knew that Robin was Chris’ best friend as they were roommates at Juilliard. Robin and his then-wife Marsha’s support after Chris’ accident was invaluable. They bought the Reeve family a specially equipped van to help Chris get around, it even transported him to the Academy Awards 1996 for his first public appearance after the accident. What hit hardest for me was when someone in the film said that perhaps Robin might still be with us today if Chris hadn’t died so suddenly.

Despite the somber themes, however, Super/Man manages to be an uplifting film. To his children, in their own words, the accident made Chris a better father. To the rest of the world, Chris became a real-life hero as he became a strong advocate for spinal cord injuries and championed spinal injury research via the Christopher and Diana Reeve Foundation. We hear from paraplegic individuals just how crucial it is to have representation from not just a celebrity, but someone famous for playing a superhero.

The finale wraps up with an inspiring takeaway about what real heroism is all about. It’s not about having superpowers; it’s really about everyday people who manage to get through insurmountable odds and come out stronger. Chris and Dana Reeve truly embodied that, and it’s wonderful to see that their children get to carry on their legacy.

What are your thoughts about Christopher Reeve and the Super/Man documentary?

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