Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story Review

This was always going to be a tearjerker, there’s no way around that, so your tissues. The life of Christopher Reeve, the celebrated actor whose most famous role was that of the titular superhero, is a whirlwind ride for many reasons but despite the many challenges that surrounded him and his family towards the latter part of his life, there is nothing more spectacular and uplifting than seeing him geared up as the Man of Steel, banking threw the sky as he flies towards the camera and John Williams’ immortal score swelling to its crescendo in the background, as Superman: The Movie director Richard Donner once said, literally says the word.

Charting his rise to fame from his early beginnings on the theatre scene, it also follows his studies at the legendary Julliard School, the training ground for some of Hollywood’s finest actors and where friends and classmates included Jeff Daniels and William Hurt, who all were vying for roles through their time together. It was there that Reeve began his unique friendship with Robin Williams, and the two would be linked throughout their lives in more ways than they could have dreamed of. More on him later.

It was during the stage run of My Life alongside Hurt that Reeve got the call to screen test for the role of Superman, a part that Donner and its casting director Lynn Stalmaster, were struggling to fill. Donner’s approach was that he, and the audience, would never buy a famous face in the role, nor believe a man could fly, so only an unknown would be able to pull it off. Hurt thought Reeve was crazy to audition, Reeve saw it differently and the rest is history. Superman: The Movie, alongside Star Wars, Jaws, and The Exorcist, helped usher in a new era of films and filmmaking and turned Reeve into a superstar overnight. Away from the blue-and-red suit, Reeve took smaller roles in Street Smart, Somewhere In Time, Deathtrap, and Anna Karenina, the film that made him learn to ride (despite an allergy to horses) and sparked his love of equestrianism, which ultimately led to his tragic accident.

Surprisingly, a comprehensive documentary about Reeve’s life hasn’t found its way to the big screen – or, indeed, any screen – as of yet but with the 20th anniversary of his sad death falling this month and a new Superman film around the corner, perhaps the perfect time is now. Directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, who co-wrote the script with Otto Burnham, this is in parts thrilling, melancholic, reflective, and hopeful all at once, a true celebration and appreciation for all the work Reeve did during his long career, whether on the screen, on the stage or in his activism. This soars like the Man of Steel through the clouds and sun-drenched skies above us.

There is so much to dissect here, but we’ll give the film its due respect by not going into too much detail. Suffice it to say that it demonstrates just how brilliant and classy Reeve was as a person and performer, and just how devastating it was to lose him when he still had so much more to offer. Through interviews with his three children, Matthew, Alexandra, and Will, his wife Dana, and former partner Gae Exton, and friends Glenn Close, Susan Sarandon, Whoopi Goldberg, Daniels, and more, it provides such a beautiful, uplifting story of hope, love, and affection that you’ll be glad you’ll be glad you brought those tissues. Add to that anecdotes from the late Robin Williams, a man who fought his own demons but still kept his humanity and laughter, it’s a reminder that where Reeve is concerned, you’ll still believe a man can fly.

★★★★1/2

Playing as part of the 2024 BFI London Film Festival on October 14th and 19th / In UK cinemas on November 1st / Christopher Reeve, Dana Reeve, Alexandra Reeve Givens, Matthew Reeve, Will Reeve, Gae Exton, Susan Sarandon, Glenn Close, Jeff Daniels, Richard Donner, Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg / Dir: Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui / Warner Bros, DC Studios, HBO Documentary Films, CNN Films