Super/Man: L'histoire de Christopher Reeve

SUPER/MAN: THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY (2024) **** Heartfelt and accommodating documentary on the life and legacy of Christopher Reeve, actor/familyman/advocate for the disabled focusing largely upon the nearly-fatal accident in which he became a quadriplegic, which not only strengthened his humanity but in fact defined it. Interspersed with family home videos and testimonials from both friends and colleagues as well as those who have benefited from his & his wife Dana's philanthropic efforts, the film balances the man as well as the myth (naturally playing Superman onscreen clearly iconicized him immortal and underlined the cruel fate of his destiny) filmmakers Ian Bonhote and Peter Ettedgui prove that - to turn a phrase on his most famous film's tagline - You Will Believe A Man Can Try. One of the year's best films.

What a thoroughly fascinating journey this documentary portrayed of the late Christopher Reeve. Growing up and watching re-runs in the 90's of the Superman films I was really only aware of him for that and of course, I had heard about his terrible accident but I never knew anything else about him, I wasn't even sure how or when he died.

It was also interesting to learn that Robin Williams was a very close friend, if not, his closest. He was always cracking jokes and that was just who Robin was, but he kept Reeve in good spirits when it was needed. That's what you call a good friend.

The background of his family and 3 kids was touching and if you're a crier, get ready for the tissues towards the last 15 mins cause you're gonna need them. His legacy he left behind and work surrounding the paralysis and disability foundations is nothing short of phenomenal. Life can be so rewarding yet so cruel at the same time.

A very good documentary about a man, but not just any man, a Superman. RIP.

The film documents the rise, fall, and eventual re-rise of the actor's stellar career. Reeve's story is beautifully and lovingly told by those who were closest to him. Growing up in a broken home and without the support of his friends and colleagues, he became one of the best-known and most-loved screen personalities of the 1980s. The tale causes one to think about one's own life and fortunes, or lack thereof...Reeve had it all and lost it in a second, but through his stubborn perseverance was able to carve out a new niche for himself. Through it all, the love and support of his family stayed solid. Get ready for tears.

Watched this at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.

Christopher Reeve was well-known for his performance as Superman and his unfortunate accident in 1995 disrupted his acting career. While I haven't seen many of Reeve's work, I found Reeve's to be a interesting person and this documentary does a good job on exploring his journey before and after his accident with good atmosphere, conversations from other celebrities and exploration about his activist works.

The documentary presents good presentation, structure and some informative insights about Reeve's personal life that I didn't know about it and it was pretty emotional to observe. Seeing his family and others discussing of what makes him so special was pretty touching and I felt connected to Reeve's activist work, his journey and the person he is.

Without being said, the documentary does have it's faults which are some of the pacing that could be improved. Including the musical tracks feeling repetitive. The musical tracks feel out of place and just like Val and Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie, the musical soundtrack feels cheesy and kind of ruins some of the moments.

But as a whole, the movie's core was good and it was interesting to observe and learn about Reeves. May Reeves legacy continues and his legendary performance as Superman to live on.

I saw this documentary at the first showing in theaters and the audience was deeply moved. So many personal stories of the life and times of friends, family and colleagues of a man we hardly knew. The true life story of courage and the love he left behind. I had no idea that his childhood shaped his perception of what family could be and that struck home for me. Great to see Robin Williams help his classmate, friend and being like a brother, stepped up when it counted most while dealing with personal challenges of his own.

The support of Christopher's wife, Dana, goes above and beyond normal caregiving and deserves her own life story told as well. The personal stories their children tell about what she went through in the years that followed.

His advocacy for change in spinal cord injury research has beared fruit all these years later.

It was great to see the original Superman film clips on the big screen since seeing them when they first ran in the 70's/80's.

Great CGI effects of a Superman statue among the stars and heavens with compelling narration. Bravo!