The inspiring story of the late great Christopher Reeve has always inspired people to never give up hope, even when it seemed impossible. He achieved big things with his iconic role Superman, achieved even bigger things after a life-changing accident and is still achieving big things today long after he’s gone. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is a feature-length documentary dedicated to the legacy of Christopher Reeve. It was shown at the Sundance Film Festival back in January and is now showing in cinemas worldwide.

Christopher Reeve found his passion for acting at nine and soon enrolled at Cornell University, where he also met the legendary Robin Williams, and the two became best friends, before studying at the Juilliard School together. He debuted on Broadway in 1976, before receiving his breakthrough role as the most recognised comic book character, Superman in the self-titled film in 1978. Christopher had the perfect look, but not the physique and after being told he’d be wearing a padded muscle suit, it motivated him to prove his commitment to the role.

He hit the gym multiple times daily and built the ideal Superman body. It was also the opportunity he needed to display his acting range by not only portraying the Man of Steel but also his alter ego, Clark Kent. For many, it’s obvious that Superman and Clark are the same person. Christopher’s acting ability made the audience believe they were two different people, not something many actors could do.

The Superman film received three sequels, and Christopher went on to star in various other films and Television series, until that faithful day in 1995 that left him paralysed from the neck down after a horse-riding accident. His life was never the same, not being able to perform, do his hobbies, be close to his wife, or play with his children and after seriously considering being let go, his incredible wife Dana told him what he needed to hear, and a new chapter of his life began. The man who could fly on screen was determined to walk again one day.

This documentary features interviews with various celebrities, close friends, doctors, the friends he made in rehabilitation, his ex-partner, and his three children, as well as tons of archival footage, scenes from Christopher’s films and home family videos. It goes in-depth with the highs and lows of his life, somehow always finding ways to bounce back no matter what life threw at him.

The way the film is presented goes back and forth from his early days to his later years, taking audiences on an emotional rollercoaster. Seeing various people close to him share their stories makes it clear he was more than a movie star. It also doesn’t shy away from the low points of his life, from his many critically panned films, his failed relationship with the mother of his first two children, not believing in marriage, being away all the time and barely seeing his children, and even offending people with disabilities despite his good intentions.

Outside of being Superman, the other big part of his life was no longer being able to live a normal life, and the documentary delves deep into that aspect. Audiences will see the challenges he had to face, the effects on his mental health, and how frightening it can be not to have full control of your own body. While he had machines to help him breathe, at any moment they could malfunction and with no oxygen going in, he’d be unable to scream for help.

The film also highlights all the positives of being in this condition. Rather than live the rest of his life in misery and feeling useless, he decided to open the Christopher Reeve Foundation, devoting his time and resources to finding treatments and cures for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury and other neurological disorders, while bringing awareness to the cause.

Today it’s known as the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, after his wife’s unfortunate passing from lung cancer only two years after his. The charitable organisation is still strong today with his three children, Matthew, Alexandra, and Will serving as board of directors. Sadly, Christopher didn’t live long enough to get back on his feet, but he never gave up hope and would be beyond proud to see what his foundation has achieved since. Other people who were also paralysed from the neck down, are now walking again because of him. Anyone wanting to donate to the cause can do so at www.christopherreeve.org.

His children also shared many heartfelt stories of their father and the impact he’s had on their lives, despite the challenges they had to face. They also talk about how important and devoted Dana

was to all of them, not only becoming an amazing wife to Christopher but also an amazing stepmother to Matthew and Alexandra, as well as bringing a new addition to the family and how she kept everything together despite the odds. For a long time, Christopher didn’t believe in marriage, but that changed with Dana, who stuck with him through thick and thin. With the home videos, archive footage and interviews, the movie does an excellent job of showing the kind of family man Christopher was, whether he was on his feet or bound to a wheelchair and how Dana played a major part in that.

Robin Williams also plays a big part in this documentary since he was a big part of Christopher’s life. Seeing him on the big screen again is a delight and will doubtlessly tug at the heartstrings. It’s fun to see old photos and footage of their early acting days, the close bond they had and how Robin helped his best friend stay positive, even in his darkest times.

The presentation is done so well to showcase Christopher Reeve in the best way, even with his shortcomings. The famous Superman theme song can be heard, and orchestral music has something for every occasion to build excitement, anticipation, and triumphant moments.

Throughout the film, an animated Superman-shaped statue made of stone is shown and presented in a way to highlight certain topics such as the muscles when Christopher was getting shape, a crack in the neck when explaining his accident, and green crystals representing kryptonite when talking about the low points in his life. The visual of the statue is a simple but big part of telling the story of Christopher Reeve.

Christopher Reeve’s biggest moments are featured in this film, from his breakthrough role as Superman to his first public appearance since his accident, which brought the world to tears. He may be long gone, but never be forgotten. The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation has made huge advancements in science and medicine and his legacy lives on not only through his children but the thousands of people who have gotten back on their feet. He made people believe he could fly and now he’s making people believe they will walk again.

Christopher Reeve played the biggest superhero on the silver screen but became an even bigger hero when he had everything going against him. The emblem on Superman’s chest is a symbol of hope and that hope continues to grow stronger in the real world. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is an absolute must-watch and a truly inspiring story to never give up hope.

Written by: Sammy Hanson