A nuanced, trustworthy account of Superman star Christopher Reeve’s life earlier than and after his devastating accident.

PLOT: A deep dive into the lifetime of Christopher Reeve, from his in a single day stardom as Superman by way of to his life after the tragic accident which left him an individual with quadriplegia.

REVIEW: When I heard Sundance can be displaying a documentary in regards to the lifetime of Christopher Reeve, I appropriately assumed that it wouldn’t go away a dry eye on this home at any time when it was screened. Indeed, because the premiere screening wound up, the sobs from the viewers have been pronounced, and Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is definitely a heartbreaking expertise. Now that the movie is getting a restricted theatrical run (from Fathom Events) on September 21 & 25, followers in every single place will get to shed a tear and be impressed by this icon.

Directors Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui correctly undertake a non-linear model to inform Reeve’s story, opening together with his accident, which got here at a time when he was attempting to rebuild his profession following the disastrous finish of the Superman franchise with Quest for Peace. Only a yr earlier than his devastating fall, he had an excellent position in Merchant/Ivory’s The Remains of the Day, however considered one of his sons freely admits that on the time of the accident, he was doing motion pictures of the week to pay the payments.

Reeve’s ordeal is depicted in a harrowing vogue, by no means shying away from the truth that till the day he died, he was preventing to sooner or later get out of his wheelchair. Yet, Reeve completed rather a lot after his accident, growing funding for spinal twine harm analysis whereas additionally attempting to enhance the standard of life for these stricken together with his situation. 

More than something, the movie zeroes in on his relationship together with his spouse, Dana Reeve, who grew to become his tireless advocate. In a tragic coincidence, she died of most cancers solely two years after her husband, orphaning their little one, Will Reeve, who’s the spitting picture of his father. 

If you’re coming to the movie wanting for lots of perception into the making of the Superman motion pictures, you received’t discover that right here, as that territory has been lined elsewhere (together with by us). There’s not a lot about how fraught the taking pictures of the primary movie was, however the film does pay particular tribute to director Richard Donner, who was at all times Reeve’s advocate, each within the position and even after the Salkinds changed him. Still, it’s a bit bizarre that Margot Kidder barely will get a point out, with their chemistry an essential however ignored a part of what cemented his legacy as Superman. 

The documentary tries to current an trustworthy account of Reeve’s life earlier than the accident – warts and all. An previous interview clip from The Tonight Show demonstrates his contempt for actors like Marlon Brando, who he stated took his paycheck from making Superman with out caring about his efficiency’s high quality (he was most likely proper about that, although). At the identical time, his son Matthew reveals that on the day of his beginning, Reeve determined to go to France and ski with pals reasonably than be there for his companion on the time – Gae Exton, – which doesn’t replicate too properly on the Man of Steel. But, as Reeve himself freely admits in interview clips, he by no means pretended to be excellent. For him, Superman was simply one other position till it took on extra resonance following his accident. 

Bonhôte and Ettedgui additionally dive into how Reeve, to his dismay, was by no means capable of obtain vital success with any position past Superman, with him opting to search for roles that will solid him in opposition to sort however at all times failed with critics and audiences. Some motion pictures, reminiscent of Somewhere in Time, have been good, however others, like Monsignor, have been abysmal. The declining high quality of the Superman motion pictures can be referenced. However, there’s little perception into why they have been so dangerous, which might be thrilling territory for another person to discover.

Yet, the movie in the end presents an inspiring account of Reeve’s second act in life, the place his humbling accident made him a tireless advocate and strengthened many. One of probably the most heartbreaking threads within the doc pertains to Reeve’s friendship with Robin Williams. We learn the way the Reeve household struggled to make ends meet when confronted together with his substantial medical payments (over $400,000 a yr) and the way Williams and his spouse, Marsha, typically stepped in.  Glenn Close additionally says, in an interview clip, that she believes Williams would nonetheless be alive in the present day if Reeve have been. 

In the top, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is much like Still, the documentary about Michael J. Fox that performed right here final yr. Like that one, it embraces Reeve’s constructive impact after his accident however doesn’t draw back from the customarily grim actuality of his day-to-day life. It’s extra trustworthy about that facet than different motion pictures are, and it’s higher for it.