“You’ll believe a man can fly”
An iconic tagline that has been steeped into pop culture. A statement that promises something extraordinary. Someone that transcends beyond magical; one who can save, influence and inspire many lives. That one person is Superman. This is the story of Christopher Reeve.
As part of this year’s BFI London Film Festival, this latest documentary aims to deconstruct and importantly, celebrate the life of this actor. Through archival footage and significant interviews with Reeve’s own family and friends, his life is the main subject. From countless publicized highs and lows, the person behind the beloved superhero is revealed as far more than others may believe in this documentary.
Unravelling the man behind the super establishes itself firstly with an ingenious title. A slash in-between the character’s name frames our subject at the forefront. It especially authenticates the film’s objective right away substantially before any logo can even appear. What is also conveyed is that this is not going to be a standard documentary. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story will tell the story with its own spin on a classic documentary format.
Typical films within the genre tend to favour a ‘talking heads’ style of presentation alongside archival footage and photographs. Whilst yes, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story does employ this tactic, what is predominantly sincere is the approach to the format. Rather than inviting several huge names and figures who tend to discuss from an outsider’s perspective, Super/Man does not. Direct connections from the actual family of Christopher Reeve and his closest peers share their unique recollections. Since sadly, Reeve is no longer with us, the documentary with respect and dignity utilises archival recordings of the person himself. Personal testimonials support in creating a greater level of empathy, commemoration, and immersiveness into his life.
Further cementing these pivotal effects comes from the superb splicing of clips from Superman in conjunction with Reeve’s or his peers’ reflection on one event. One standout but poetically subtle moment involves Christopher’s son; William. In this moment, he discusses his father’s ability to seamlessly convey both the Superman and Clark Kent persona at the same time. The scene in Superman (1978) showing Clark Kent hiding Superman from Lois Lane plays on screen whilst William recounts. It is at this scene which perfectly encapsulates what this documentary is all about. The hero from not just Superman but from the actor himself and his subsequent life following the red cape.
Reeve was a prominent activist of environmental issues and human rights. Following a significant turning point in his life in 1995, when he became paralyzed from the neck down after a horse riding accident, he soon expanded towards disability rights. Super/Man could have very easily fallen into cinematic pity. However, the documentary actively reinforces his legacy. Much of the film is dedicated to his conviction to uplifting causes and conveys courageousness even when all seems lost. Archival footage of Reeve’s extensive campaigning emphasizes the documentary’s themes of hope and what it means to be a hero.
Super/Man also draws attention to his wife, Dana and her immense efforts to further advocate for disability rights. Her work is briefly celebrated alongside Christopher’s, with the presentation of archival footage displaying her determination, courageousness and sheer positive impact she had on the Reeve family. A slight expansion of her story would have enhanced the documentary more, to fully solidify the themes at play. Nevertheless, Super/Man remains successful in its overall representation.
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is an excellent showcase of a one of a kind Hollywood figure. One who prevailed even in the darkest of times and triumphed enormously. Merely establishing an actor’s legacy is not solely what this documentary intends. It is a tale of finding good in humanity and the indomitable human spirit.
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story will be released in UK cinemas November 1st
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