Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story (2024) – Review

Quick thoughts – Grade – A –  Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is a super documentary that’s equal parts heart-wrenching and heart-warming. Directors Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui have constructed a beautiful doc that uses interweaving narratives, charismatic interviewees, and healthy doses of Christopher Reeve footage to create a wonderful experience that deserves its 100% Tomatometer Score.

One of the best things that can be said about Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is how immersive it is. Produced independently by Bonhôte and Peter Ettedguim and later purchased by Warner Bros. for $15 million after its debut at the Sundance Film Festival, the documentary is an open and exhausting experience that doesn’t feel like Christopher Reeve propaganda. This isn’t a promotional piece made by Warner Bros. to drum up excitement for the upcoming Superman movie from James Gunn. This is a well-executed examination into the life of Christopher Reeve, who played Superman in four films between 1978 and 1987, and later suffered a tragic accident in 1995 when a horse riding accident left him paralyzed. Using licensed footage, old interviews, and narration from his books, ”Still Me” and ”Nothing Is Impossible,” the audience is given a warts-and-all look into the life of a man who cared deeply about playing an alien superhero.

While watching the documentary, you can help but have deep respect for directors Bonhôte and Ettedguim, who created a trusting atmosphere that allowed Matthew Reeve, Alexandra Reeve Givens and William Reeve (Christopher’s three kids) to deliver honest, heartfelt, and charismatic interviews that made me tear up multiple times. They are incredibly open and honest about their parents, and they don’t hold back when discussing how Christopher left for a skiing trip with his friends the day after Matthew was born, and split with his long-time partner Gae Exton (the mother of Matthew and Alexandra) after years of forcing her to essentially be a single mom. Nobody is perfect, and it’s nice that the filmmakers realize that three-dimensional people make for much more interesting documentary subjects. 

Another wise decision made by the directors was to incorporate a non-linear narrative that tells the story of Christopher’s battle to cure spinal injuries, and Dana Reeve’s life as a caretaker, mom and stepmom. It works perfectly because it doesn’t become a doc that starts on a high (Reeve finds success and love) and ends on a low (paralysis, cancer, death). What’s interesting is that the two directors didn’t want Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story to be seen as a documentary, so they tried their best to create an immersive, and emotional experience that feels more like a “conversation” than a series of interviews. Kudos to editor Otto Burnham and his team of researchers for finding some wonderful clips and interviews that help tell the story (this interview is great – watch it).

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story also incorporates interviews from Susan Surandon, Whoopi Goldberg, John Kerry and Glenn Close, who gives some very interesting insight into the friendship between Robin Williams and Reeve. Close believes that if Reeve’s were still around that Williams wouldn’t have committed suicide in 2014 (another tear up moment). In addition, the doc shines a light into the private life of Dana Reeve, a charismatic and loving partner/parent/actor who stayed by Christopher’s side and helped unite the family. I wasn’t familiar with her story, so it hit me hard when I learned about her death in 2006 due to lung cancer (she never smoked…which makes it even more tragic). 

You will feel many feelings while watching Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, which is a testament to its quality. It never feels manipulative or false, and I think it’s going to be a crowd-pleasing (albeit some tears) experience for the people who watch it in theaters. Check it out!