Super/man : The Christopher Reeve story

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is an emotionally charged, meticulously crafted documentary that transcends the limits of the usual biographical narrative. Directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, the film offers a deep and complex exploration of the life of Christopher Reeve, the actor who became synonymous with Superman and, later, a symbol of hope and resilience following a life-altering accident. This documentary doesn't just trace Christopher Reeve's career and personal struggles; it's a moving testament to the indomitable human spirit and the power of love, family and determination in the face of unimaginable adversity.

The documentary's narrative structure is one of its most striking features. Rather than adhering to a conventional chronological format, Super/Man uses a non-linear approach, oscillating between Reeve's early life and career, his iconic role as Superman and the years following his tragic accident in 1995. This technique allows the audience to observe the contrasts and connections between the man who embodied invincibility on screen and the man who, after being paralyzed from the neck down, became an advocate for disability rights. The non-linear structure also adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, reflecting the many facets of Christopher Reeve's life and legacy.

From the outset, the film draws the viewer in with its emotional depth and raw honesty. Otto Burnham's editing is impressive, blending archival footage, interviews with family, friends and colleagues, and intimate personal videos to create a comprehensive and deeply personal portrait of Christopher Reeve. The documentary doesn't shy away from exploring Christopher Reeve's imperfections, making him a more human character. It touches on his difficulties in finding his identity beyond the role of Superman, his complicated relationship with his father, and the challenges he has faced in his personal life, including his role as a father and partner.

The portrait of Christopher Reeve's family, in particular his relationship with his wife, Dana Reeve, is one of the most poignant aspects of the film. Dana Reeve emerges as a pillar of unwavering strength and support, helping Christopher Reeve to overcome the immense challenges he faced after his accident. Dana's love and dedication are portrayed as essential to Christopher Reeve's ability to cope with his new reality. The documentary also highlights the impact of Christopher Reeve's condition on his children - Matthew, Alexandra and Will - who deliver frank and heartfelt reflections on growing up with a father who was both a Hollywood icon and a man facing extraordinary challenges.

One of the film's strengths is its ability to balance the portrayal of Christopher Reeve as both a public figure and a private individual. While his portrayal of Superman gets the attention it deserves, the documentary focuses more on the man behind the cape. It reveals Christopher Reeve's ambition, his desire to be taken seriously as an actor, and his frustration at being pigeonholed into the superhero role. The film also discusses Christopher Reeve's other film projects and his efforts to break free from the Superman image, while acknowledging that his attempts to diversify his career have often met with mixed success.

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story excels in its use of Christopher Reeve's voice, taken from his autobiographical audiobooks, Still Me and Nothing Is Impossible. These recordings form a deeply personal and introspective narrative thread throughout the film, allowing Christopher Reeve to share his thoughts, fears and hopes in his own words. This choice adds a layer of authenticity and emotional resonance, giving the impression that Christopher Reeve himself is guiding the viewer through the ups and downs of his life.

The documentary presents Christopher Reeve's story from a balanced perspective, acknowledging the difficulties and emotional toll on Christopher Reeve and his family, while celebrating their courage and commitment to making a difference. The filmmakers resist the temptation to over-sentimentalize Christopher Reeve's struggles, opting instead for a more nuanced portrayal that pays tribute to the complexity of his experiences.

Visually, the film is embellished with symbolic images that add depth to the narrative. One particularly effective visual motif is the depiction of Christopher Reeve as a Greek-style statue, which cracks and emits a Kryptonite-like green light in response to the challenges he faces throughout his life. This imagery is a powerful metaphor for Christopher Reeve's transformation from the invincible Superman to a man struggling with profound physical and emotional difficulties. The juxtaposition of the mythological and the real underscores the film's exploration of what it really means to be a hero.

The documentary is also notable for its exploration of Christopher Reeve's activism after his accident. After becoming paralyzed, Christopher Reeve channeled his energy into defending spinal cord injury research and the rights of disabled people. The film highlights his tireless efforts to raise awareness and funding for these causes, which led to the creation of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. The impact of Christopher Reeve's activism is presented as one of his greatest legacies, with the documentary focusing on how his work has helped to improve the lives of countless people affected by paralysis.

A particularly moving part of the documentary is the description of the friendship between Christopher Reeve and Robin Williams. Their bond, which dates back to their days together at Juilliard, is described as one of deep mutual respect and love. Robin Williams' role in supporting Christopher Reeve after his accident is highlighted as a testament to the strength of their friendship. The film contains touching anecdotes from their time together, and it's clear that Williams played a crucial role in helping Christopher Reeve retain his sense of humor and optimism in the most difficult of times.

The exploration of Christopher Reeve's personal life is equally fascinating. He doesn't shy away from the complexity of his relationships, particularly with his children from his first relationship with Gae Exton. The film presents an honest account of Christopher Reeve's struggles with fatherhood, his attempts to balance his career with his responsibilities as a parent, and how his accident reshaped his role within his family. The interviews with Christopher Reeve's children are among the film's most poignant moments, offering a deeply personal perspective on their father's life and legacy.

Despite the many strengths of Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, the documentary is not without its faults. Some sequences, particularly the animated ones, may seem out of place or overly sentimental. However, these minor errors are easily overshadowed by the film's emotional and narrative success. Christopher Reeve's story is one of resilience, love and the lasting impact of a man who refused to be defined by circumstance.

In its final act, the documentary focuses on the legacy of Christopher and Dana Reeve. It explores how their advocacy work continued to influence and inspire long after their deaths, with their children carrying on the mission of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. The film ends on a hopeful note, emphasizing that although Christopher Reeve is no longer with us, his impact on the world remains profound and far-reaching.
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is a powerful and moving journey that offers a nuanced and deeply moving portrait of a man who, despite overwhelming adversity, remained a true hero in every sense of the word. 

This film will resonate with all those who admired Christopher Reeve, not just as Superman, but as a symbol of hope, courage and the enduring strength of the human spirit. The documentary is a poignant reminder that true heroism is not invincibility, but the strength to persevere, to love and to make a difference in the world, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Super/man: The Christopher Reeve story
Directed by Ian Bonhôte, Peter Ettedgui
Produced by Robert Ford, Lizzie Gillett, Ian Bonhôte
Written by Peter Ettedgui
Starring Christopher Reeve
Music by Ilan Eshkeri
Director of photography: Brett Wiley
Edited by Otto Burnham
Production companies: Words + Pictures, Passion Pictures, Misfits Entertainment
Distributed by DC Studios, Warner Bros. Pictures, HBO, CNN Films, Max, Fathom Events
Release date: January 19, 2024 (Sundance), September 21, 2024 (United States), October 9, 2024 (France)
Running time: 104 minutes

Viewed on September 7, 2024 at the Deauville Casino Cinema

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