SUPER/MAN: THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY

The power of this emotionally rewarding, cleverly assembled documentary lies in how well it portrays actor and activist Christopher Reeve as both an extraordinary man and someone like you and me.

DC Entertainment has for years struggled to find the right balance between heroism, hope and relatability in their continued effort to bring Superman successfully back to the big screen, but this documentary about actor Christopher Reeve has no problems hitting the all the thematic, narrative and emotional highs.

Super/Man uses the horse riding accident that paralyzed Reeve in 1995 as a jump-off point to flash back to his years as young actor who strikes it big in his first movie role and at the same time flash forward to his years as an advocate for rights for disabled people. While not an innovative story device, it proves to be highly effective for this movie.

Firstly because it excellently highlights the dichotomy between Reeves and his most famous role, something he struggled with throughout his career. The picture excels at constantly contrasting the very human hopes and frustrations of Reeve and the expectations not only the general public but even his own friends and family have of him.

Secondly because though Reeves is front and centre in Super/Man, the picture never feels like your typical biographical documentary. By deftly mixing audiotapes in Reeves’ own voice with home video footage, news reels and new interviews with his closest friends and relatives, the documentary emerges as a universal story about overcoming adversity, finding solace in your fate and channelling hope as a powerful instrument for change.

That makes it all the more puzzling that Super/Man didn’t even make the final 15 shortlist of this years Best Documentary Oscar. I would hand the picture a nomination every day for the unassuming confidence with which it wrings true emotion from a story that in the wrong hands would have been cloying or hagiographic.

release: 2024

director: Ian Bonhôte, Peter Ettedgui

starring: Christopher Reeve, Dana Reeve, Robin Williams, Susan Sarandon