Directors Ian Bonhote and Peter Ettedgui piece together a beautiful documentary commemorating the true Man of Steel with Super/Man the Christopher Reeve Story.

 

Christopher Reeve's story is told through his sons Will and Matt Reeve, his daughter Alexandra Reeve Givens, and a variety of celebrity friends he made over the years. The documentary starts off with his injury and then jumps back and forth comparing his Superman character to how he dealt with his paralysis. The documentary also delves into Reeve's childhood and that he grew up in a broken home. All he dreamed about was becoming an actor. We do learn a lot about the high points of his life, but also learn about his lowest moments - from not wanting to be Superman anymore to abandoning his family when his acting career wasn't going in the direction he wanted it to go. That's when we are introduced to his wife, Dana Reeve, who stuck with him through the good times and bad once he became paralyzed. Even though this story is mainly about Christopher, they make it a point to state that this is also Dana's story too. From being a wife, mother, and caregiver. We watch Christopher's story all the way to his final day alive and the impact of his death on society. 

 

It's sometimes hard to find good documentaries to watch, and once this was announced I knew I had to go see it in theaters. I grew up on Chrisopher Reeve's Superman and was just a child when he passed away. I knew how much of an important figure he was in the comic book realm and in real life. While watching this I truly believed that Reeve was Superman on and off the screen. They make a great comparison of his paralysis as Kryptonite by using a CGI sculpture of Reeve and putting the green crystals in the areas where he could no longer feel anything. I thought that was brilliant to do and to use flashbacks that compared to what Reeve was currently dealing with after the incident. I also have to give it up for the music that played throughout because it just pulls at your heartstrings. The editing in this documentary was also top notch and the narration throughout was well done. There was not a moment where I felt like the film was dragging along. It really grabs your attention until the very end. 

 

If you get the chance to head to the movie theater make sure you check this film out. It is an amazing story even though it is tragic. Reeve never gave up. That's what the Man of Steel is known for. 

 

Rating: 5 out of 5