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INTRODUCTION ON SUPER/MAN: THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY
How do I start reviewing a movie that is dedicated to a world star, to an icon, an inspiration for children, adults, abled and disabled, a source of motivation? Even, though I don’t know how I will start this review, I want to say that I truly honor the work done by Christopher.
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story 2024 is a documentary movie on the life of US actor Christopher Reeve. The documentary was directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, who co-wrote the script with Otto Burnham; its title references Reeve playing Superman in the 1978–1987 Superman films series.
The film, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 2024, and hit US theaters for a limited release in conjunction with Fathom Events on September 21, with an encore presentation offered on September 25, 2024.
In the United Kingdom, it will be released on November 1, 2024.
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story -2024- rated PG-13 for some strong language and thematic elements. Runtime: 1 hour, 40 minutes.
WHAT IS SUPER/MAN: THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY ABOUT?
Christopher Reeve’s rise to fame was nothing short of meteoric. He played Superman in a host of films that made him an instant cultural icon. In 1995, his life took a turn when a sad horse-riding accident left him paralyzed from the neck down.
It was a blow, a terrible blow, not only to the body but to the mind. Reeve, who had played the character of invincibility and whose name had been synonymous with Superman for ages, was reduced to a wheelchair. He refused to give in to despair. He became a fierce advocate for spinal cord injury research and disability rights.
The life of Reeve after the accident was very brave and focused. He started the Christopher Reeve Foundation, which aimed at finding a cure for paralysis. His indomitable spirit and relentless advocacy brought many people all over the world to show that one can do much even in the face of adversity.
The documentary “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” details more of this heroic journey, further exposing Reeve’s struggles, his relentless activism, and his lasting legacy.
SUPER/MAN: THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY OFFICIAL TRAILER
HOW THE FIRST SUPERMAN CAME TO FAME, HIS ACCIDENT AND HIS DEATH
Christopher Reeve had played a few small roles as a young actor but his breakthrough came when he was invited to audition for Superman. He was 24 at that time. “The movie’s director and producers had been on a three-year search for the perfect actor but hadn’t found success. Finally, they offered the part to Reeve just 35 days before filming was scheduled to start.“.
Initially, Reeve didn’t believe he would secure the role. Despite his height of 6’4″ (193 cm), he believed he was not bulky for the character. Producers offered him the chance to use prosthetic muscles underneath the costume; he declined.
Instead, Reeve undertook an intensive two-month training program, packing on a total of 14kg to his original 86kg. He physically transformed to such an extent that some of the scenes filmed in the early stages needed to be re-shot to reflect his muscle tone later on in filming.
When the original Superman film was released, Reeve was an overnight sensation. His studio’s attempt to take full advantage of his new fame had him revisit the role three more times.
On May 27, 1995, Reeve’s life was unfairly cut. An accomplished equestrian, Reeve was competing in a horse-riding competition when his horse Buck easily soared over the first two jumps but came to an unexpected stop at the third. Reeve was thrown off Buck, with his hands caught stuck in the reins, and fell headfirst to the other side of the fence.
The fall shattered the top two vertebrae in Reeve’s spine, leaving his skull and spine disconnected hangman’s fracture that can be lethal from suffocation. Reeve then fought for his life for five weeks in intensive care at NORC End.
After stabilization, physicians were able to tell Reeve that he was paralyzed from the shoulders down. He lost feeling in 90% of his body and could no longer breathe on his own.
After his accident, Reeve was preparing to have a very risky surgery in which doctors would reconnect his skull to his spine; there was only a 50 percent chance of survival. Indeed, this must have been quite a melodramatic period in his life because the seriousness of the operation weighed heavily on his mind. Later, he would say during that period, it was his close friend, the late actor Robin Williams, who helped him through that dark period in his life.
Reeve recalled lying motionless and filled with negative thoughts when Williams entered his room in a doctor’s outfit, speaking in a Russian accent, and introducing himself as Reeve’s proctologist. Williams was playing the role of a character he had played in the film Nine Months. Reeve laughed for the first time since the accident, and at that moment, his friend made him realize that everything would be okay.
Reeve and Williams were close, lifelong friends; the two had met while attending Juilliard, where each was one of only hundreds selected to enter the highly competitive advanced drama program. Williams, after Reeve’s death, would dedicate his Golden Globe award to his old friend, stating, “Chris Reeve, I miss you. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest, sweet prince.
He had always publicly said that he would be walking again by his 50th birthday, but to many doctors and disability advocates, that spoke volumes of raising false hopes for those suffering from similar spinal cord injuries since the spinal cord does not regenerate like other parts of the body.
Despite this, Reeve achieved unexpected progress. By trying a variety of treatments, years after the accident he was able to recover some movement in his fingers and toes, had pinprick sensations, and could distinguish hot from cold, but never achieved his ambition of being able to walk again.
MY THOUGHTS ON SUPER/MAN: THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY
“Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” is a touching and deeply emotional documentary about one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors, Christopher Reeve. Known for his iconic role as Superman, Reeve became an inspiration to millions when he was left paralyzed after a devastating horse-riding accident in 1995.
This documentary is a beautiful story of both his life before the accident and the miraculous journey he undertook afterward. Having seen this film, I was deeply moved and felt this was a much-needed reminder of Reeve’s legacy as not only an actor but most especially as a very brave advocate for people living with disabilities.
SUPER/MAN: THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY (2024) FILM REVIEW
CHARACTER PERFORMANCE
Christopher Reeve is a living legend to many, especially due to the Superman role. This documentary showcases his humanity outside of a superhero cape. It was jarring to think that the man who was so idolized for his physicality on screen had to adjust to life in paralysis. Even then, Reeve, at his weakest moments, could carry himself with nothing short of inspiring strength and grace.
The journey from being a Hollywood star to a real-life hero is documented, not only with archival footage, but also through interviews conducted with the support of his close friends, family members, and colleagues. One thing that struck me was how sincere Reeve’s loved ones seemed while discussing Reeve’s struggles and triumphs.
That added a very human touch to a story that could easily have been ruled by Reeve’s stardom. His wife Dana Reeve, is a hero in her own right. How much love and devotion she had for her husband, and the way she showed her support through really hard times touched and inspired many people.
The documentary also informs us that Reeve even after the accident continued to be a source of inspiration for others, an indication of hope for so many with spinal cord injuries.
VISUAL DESIGN AND CINEMATOGRAPHY
The cinematography in “Super/Man” was plain and simple.
It isn’t reliant on flashy and popping effects or extreme visuals to be able to tell Reeve’s story. The movie keeps a strong focus on Reeve himself and the emotions of Reeve and his loved ones. The use of home videos and personal photographs apart from movie clips within Reeve’s career is indeed an intimate look into Reeve’s life.
These little instants, like watching Reeve play with his children or interact with his wife, give the audience just a little idea about him, instead of simply his screen presence.
Original clips from the Superman films mingled together with real footage of Reeve in his own life, were put together quite smartly. It was a good way to let the viewers notice the separation between Reeve’s heroism while on screen and the very real acts of bravery he demonstrated after his accident.
The documentary also does an excellent job of never making his paralysis the exclusive focal point. The jumping back and forth between scenes about the early years of his life and the later advocacy work he gets up to creates a full and well-rounded portrait of his life.
WRITING STYLE AND STORY
One of the impressive aspects of the whole documentary is its storytelling balance.
The writing is deeply personal and does not shy away from the difficult moments in Reeve’s life.
From his initial struggle with paralysis to the way he regained hope and purpose, the film takes viewers through every emotional beat. The documentary does a great job of weaving in personal anecdotes from friends like Robin Williams, who was Reeve’s classmate and one of his closest companions.
These stories portray Reeve not only as a star but also as a deeply loved person who made a mark in the lives of everyone who knew him. But what makes the writing even more engaging is the fact that it does not dramatize the tragic elements of Reeve’s life. Yes, the movie makes you, especially when it shows how close Reeve came to giving up at certain junctures-but it also leaves you inspired.
It focuses on his advocacy for spinal cord injury research and upon his relentless belief that he one day would walk again. Truly uplifting, the movie took me through sad paths and back to hope until, by its end, I was filled with profound admiration for the resilience of Reeve.
THEMES
Several strong themes flow from “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story.” Perhaps predominating was the question of courage in the face of adversity.
The rest of Reeve’s life, after the accident, became evidence of the presence of something like will and determination in human beings.
Being dealt a tragic hand, he refused to give up. Rather, he channeled his energies into raising awareness about spinal cord injuries and pushed for research that would one day lead to a cure.
Another powerful theme running throughout the movie is the strength of family and love in the face of adversity. Perhaps one of the most moving aspects of the entire documentary is the relationship between Reeve and his wife, Dana. The way they emerge together regarding Reeve’s paralysis is a great reminder of the strength love provides.
The fact that Dana died shortly after Reeve makes the movie even more interesting. The movie also explains the meaning of a hero.
Even if Reeve was referred to as a superhero on screen, his real heroism came after his accident when he became the hope of people with disabilities.
As this documentary has pointed out, Reeve never considered himself a victim but rather one who could take advantage of his injury to bring about change in the world.
CONCLUSION
All in all, “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” is an interesting and emotional documentary that covers the extraordinary life of one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors. It is not a movie about a tragic accident or the end of a career; it is one of hope, love, and resilience-a brilliant tribute to Reeve’s movement from movie star to real-life hero, serving as a great reminder that the things we struggle with in life often become our most significant contributions.
This is a film for not only the fans of Christopher Reeve or Superman, but also for all those who have faced adversity in whatever form, for those who have loved through difficult times, and those who believe in the resilience of the human spirit.
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