Super/Man - The Christopher Reeve Story

I've always loved the concept of superheroes despite the fact I never really grew up reading comics. I think it was something about what they stood for that drew me towards them towards the end of my teenage years, or most likely the fact that I thought they were cool. I can't actually pinpoint when this interest appeared because if I look at photos or read things I wrote in my early teens, I was actually a bit of a hardcore Indiana Jones fan, which is something that rings absolutely zero bells in the present day.

Did I really like Indiana Jones that badly?

Why?

I mean the films are good but why did younger me enjoy it so much and why don't I remember anything about this interest?

I realise writing this that it's nothing to do with the actual film I came here intending to review but if anyone knows any more about my younger self's interest in this franchise, I would love the insight why and I'll report back to my eager 5 readers at a later date.

Anyway.... back to the review..

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is a very moving documentary that tells the story about the life of Christopher Reeve, the original on-screen Superman, and his later work as a disability activist after a terrible accident whilst horse riding that left him paralysed from the shoulders down. This documentary tells the story incredibly well with a wealth of home footage and talking heads telling the story about Christopher Reeve's life before and after his injuries, as well as the fantastic work he did with his wife Dana before both of their deaths.

I didn't know loads about his story before watching the film but found it to be an incredible insight into someone that can only be described as a fantastic human being who was not willing to be defeated by his injuries and became a beacon of light for many people in similar living situations. I found myself in tears virtually throughout the whole film as his family reflected on their memories of him, the times around the accident and also importantly, how much love Dana, his wife, continued to give despite the incredibly difficult circumstances. I cannot comprehend how life changing and surreal having to deal with a freak incident and the subsequent injuries like that must be for a family and it made me very emotional seeing his wife Dana continue to give him unwavering love and support throughout despite her loved ones referring to her own mental struggles with the new living situations during their interviews.

I was also incredibly moved by the recurring references to Christopher Reeves' friendships with Robin Williams, the beloved comedian and actor who sadly also passed away too young. I had no idea that the two were virtually inseparable and also how much Williams and his partner did for Reeves after the injuries occurred. The most incredibly poignant moment of the film for me was when Glenn Close talks about whether Robin Williams would still be here if Reeves' injury had never happened.

With everything going on in the world, it's hard not to feel like there are more bleak moments occuring more regularly than ever before and posts about life being fragile feels like something I see someone post about on their socials considerably more often then I did throughout my teenage years. I think It's easy to see films and think the stars you look up to are as immortal as the characters we see them portraying. In the case of Christopher Reeve and Superman, this sadly wasn't the case.

To read more about the work of The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, head to: https://www.christopherreeve.org/

5 out of 5

'Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story' Warner Bros/Alamy/Courtesy of Sundance Institute