Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is a Look into Human Decency
What a man, what a documentary. Typically, I'm not one to fall for documentaries about celebrities' lives. I find them to often be boring films regarding people we already know about. They only appeal to their fans. But Superman has an appeal that almost everyone likes. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story proves that superhuman strength doesn't rely on the body but the mind. It's a study of perseverance overcoming despair that should inspire anyone. Superman is a figure of truth, justice, and the American way. In other words, he's a good man that wants to help people unlike some politicians who shall remain nameless. Through this film, you will learn the type of super person Christopher Reeve was. I rarely get inspired. But this movie did the trick.
The movie begins with a bang. A fast, loud montage of Superman (1978) shatters the screen with phenomenal editing. The editing on this film is a masterclass on how you should chop a documentary; with visceral energy. Maybe not for all films, but movies like this could have played like a flat production of talking heads cut with frequent clips of Christopher Reeve's career. This film brings the clips of Superman to life thanks to its stupendous sound design. When we start on Superman, we hear a scream of pain come from our hero. Next, we cut to Superman holding a rocket as the sound from its burning jets rattles your seat in the theater.
We quickly go from Superman's iconography to the incident that led to his paralysis. The story isn't told in order. It's out of continuity to see how each dot in Christopher's life connects with the family he built and the friends he knew. Unless you're well-versed in Mr. Reeves' life or read his Wikipedia page, you might not find many surprises in this film. In fact, it leaves out information when it comes to his education and acting career before Superman. Also, some of the music plays up each little moment like it's an inspirational commercial instead of a film.
This documentary offers a unique perspective on Christopher Reeves' life, thanks to the involvement of his children. The majority of the narrative is shared through interviews with Reeves' kids, who provide personal and intimate details about their father. The other half of the narrative comes from the celebrities who knew him, including Susan Sarandon, Glenn Close, Jeff Daniels, Whoopi Goldberg, and the late Robin Williams. Robin Williams was Christopher Reeves' closest friend. The two attended Julliard, sticking together like brothers ever since sharing class. When on his hospital bed after being injured, Williams came in like he was Patch Adams in Dr. Scrubs, making light of a terrible situation. The levity caused Reeve to smile with his eyes, expressing to himself that everything could be okay. These interviews offer a deeper understanding of Reeves, revealing him as a caring man with the drive of a Ferrari.
The lead of the film is Christoper Reeve's voice taken from various interviews that navigate the story. Some of the most beautiful moments in the movie don't come from the tears in his children's eyes but rather instances of Reeve himself telling us about a time in his life. For instance, when Chris is flying a plain, the camera angles down from the sky like it's Superman looking at the planet he must protect as if he's a guardian angel working under his Godly father, Jor-EL.
In another instance early on in the film, Chris speaks about the psychological pain he felt, knowing that he could never move again. "I can't make love to Dana, and I can't play ball with my kid." These memories are intercut with rare home videos from Chris' family. The videos show Christopher boating and skiing before hemorrhaging his spine. Later, we see him playing with his kids, even when paralyzed. Attempting to put their youngest son, Will, at ease, the Reeves carried on with celebrity events as normal so Will wouldn't have to cope with the full sense of losing his father. We see a video of a family party during this scene. It's a display of using positivity to silence the fear we all live with.
Directors Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui constructed an incredibly well-paced narrative that doesn't play like propoganda, except for the music. For a lot of other people, I would call this film a fluff piece. According to this narrative, there was no flaw with Christoper Reeve whatsoever other than the man didn't believe in marriage. Suppose you can even consider that a flaw. In a way, it meant Reeve couldn't commit to one woman, but he ended up dedicating his life to Dana Reeve. Some individuals are just that good of people. They're not damaged like a lot of us are. Quite frankly, they have bigger brains than most of us. I certainly could never be accepted at Cornell University. With more intellect comes more empathy. Christoper Reeve was not only a kind man but one whose work continues to improve the lives of others today.
Reeves' work ethic is the exemplification of hope. Years into his rehabilitation, Christoper continued with his career. In 1997, he directed his first film, In the Gloaming starring Glenn Close, Bridget Fonda, and Whoopi Goldberg. The next year, he starred in the 1998 remake of Rear Window, in which Reeve played a man similar to himself for a project that was revealing and therapeutic. The real accomplishment came from the Christopher Reeve Foundation. An organization that raised millions of dollars in hopes of finding a cure or treatment for those suffering from spinal cord injuries and other neurological disorders. The results generated stem cell research, which has proven miraculous results but has been axed by various members of Congress and previous Presidents who object to its usage of human embryos.
It's a shame since stem cell research has proven that a cure for paralysis is possible—not only paralysis but also other diseases and disabilities. In funding this research, Reeve was shortly able to move his fingers and breathe without his respirator. Most people (including myself) would have wallowed in misery until they died. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story tells the story of how one man's spirit and fearlessness led to the betterment of others' lives. He truly was a superhero.
Christopher Reeves means a lot to people, not just because he's Superman. Granted, Superman is one reason. He embodies the good in people, although Superman isn't really a person. After the horse incident, Reeve once more becomes a symbol of hope as he turns his tragedy into action. To this day, the now Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation is continuing to provide aid. Like Won't You Be Neighbor? Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is a film about decency and hope released during indecent and hopeless times. It's a symbol of what we can be. We can either fall into despair and selfishness or help our fellow person in need. As the film proves, we should follow by example of Christopher Reeve to contain a kinder, more stable society.
