Christopher Reeve will forever be remembered as the face of the Man of Steel, yes, despite the many well-known actors who have donned the big blue cape in his wake. But in this stirring, intimate documentary premiering only in theaters, the lesser known story about one of Hollywood’s most enduring icons is revealed, capturing the legendary actor’s transformation into a real-life hero.
Weaving together rare archival footage, interviews with his three kids and close friends, and Reeve’s own personal reflections, filmmakers Peter Ettedgui and Ian Bonhôte’s have created an inspiring portrait of a man and a family who refused to be defined by tragedy.
It was a 1995 horseback riding accident that left the then 42-year-old paralyzed from the neck down, and the man best known for impossible physical feats could only breathe from a ventilator. He didn’t know the extent of the everyday challenges until he was faced with them. And then he didn’t know if he could go on.
What the documentary captures so powerfully is how he was able to rise up from the devastation of his accident and embrace a new life and purpose, not just surviving but thriving as he focused on becoming a crusader for disability rights. We see Reeve’s speech at the 1996 Democratic National Convention, as he passionately argues for disability rights and spinal cord research. We see how the moment helped transform him into a symbol of hope, sparking a shift in the conversation as he challenged the public to see those with disabilities not as victims, but as individuals with dignity and strength.
From Juilliard to Broadway to the Big Screen
They don’t teach superhero moves at Juilliard, which makes the flashbacks to Reeve’s earlier life especially fascinating. He took an early interest in theater, landing roles in professional productions as early as a boy. The film captures some of his earliest roles and his many talents, from hockey to skiing to piloting to piano, which earned him acceptance to Juilliard. Then, at just 23, he earned the biggest break a young theater actor could possibly imagine: a role in a major Broadway production starring Katherine Hepburn, A Matter of Gravity.
Just two years later, Reeve would defy gravity and the typical arc of a Juilliard student when he was cast in the biggest of the big screen roles when Warner Bros. found their perfect Clark Kent, launching him into the stratosphere of international fame. He was just 25.
In the aftermath of his overwhelming success, as the film reveals, what he wanted to be remembered for was his commitment to the craft of acting, not just as the man who wore the cape.
A Shattering Double Loss
It’s when the story shifts to Reeve’s personal relationships that Super/Man becomes something more profound. There are no big revelations, but what stands out is how genuine and deeply invested most of these connections were despite the swirl of celebrity that surrounded him. His life as a movie star and then an advocate brought him into contact with many well-known people, and one particularly touching highlight is his friendship with Robin Williams, who played a significant role in Reeve’s life, especially after his accident.
What brings him back to life, more than the famous friends and the archival footage, are candid home movies and interviews with his children. His youngest, Will, only really remembers his dad after his accident, but we see how a wheelchair-bound Reeve still manages to teach his son how to ride a bike. The boy was only 11 when his father passed suddenly of heart failure, and in a gut-wrenching turn of events, his mother Dana — the rock through all the tumult of their lives after the accident — would be diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. Will would ultimately lose both of his parents by the time he was 13, leaving him to be raised by their best friends, we learn, and another heartbreaking part of this story instead becomes part of what the “man of steel” has left us with. Will and his two older siblings, Alexandra and Matt, have continued their parents’ legacy through the Christopher and Dana Reeves Foundation, which has funded $140 million in research and support for people affected by spinal cord injuries.
While Super/Man can at times feel like hagiography, it is ultimately a very personal story about perseverance, a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to overcome the most insurmountable obstacles.
For those who grew up watching Reeve on the big screen, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is a powerful experience. For younger generations who don’t remember him, it’s a story of a man who became a hero, and then redefined the very idea of one.
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story arrives in theaters nationwide on October 12th. It will be available to stream on Max later this year.
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