Super/Man The Christopher Reeve Story: The Man They Call Dad
The documentary introduces Christopher Reeve to a new generation through his children Matthew, Alexandra, and Will
Long before the show Smallville and Henry Cavill became synonymous with Superman, one actor who will forever be the Man of Steel in Hollywood’s eyes is Christopher Reeve. Twenty years after his death, a documentary permitted by his children Matthew, Alexandra, and Will was made called Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve sheds light into his beginnings as a actor, his rise to fame after nabbing the Man of Steel role, and the changes that led to the establishing of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation for Paralysis research after his riding accident.
Christopher Reeve in the eyes of Hollywood
Christopher Reeve was like many young actors who wanted to make it big. He was doing theater when the casting for Superman was being done and decided to try it. Some said he was making a mistake, but little did everyone know that it would be the role that would change his career. He was everywhere, from magazines to parties, at the height of his career.
Although Superman gave him popularity, it also had its disadvantages. His other projects were not as well received when he was in the Superman costume. His daughter Alexandra shared that while he was doing Superman 3, he was not enthusiastic anymore. He eventually completed four Superman films.
When he injured himself in a riding accident in 1995, people were worried if he would survive. Thanks to his family and his friends, Reeve survived but was paralyzed. In interviews with Glenn Close, Susan Sarandon, Jeff Daniels, and Whoopi Goldberg, they gave accounts of Christopher as an actor, director, and friend. Glenn Close, whom he directed in a TV movie, said that if he were alive, Robin Williams would also be around. Williams was one of his close friends in Hollywood and in footages, gave his own narration on helping Reeve to regain his old self.
Robin Williams died in 2014 from suicide causes.
Jeff Daniels shed light into Reeve as a theater actor. He pointed out that Reeve was more than Superman and wanted to do more serious projects. But all four stars agreed that if there’s one thing Reeve was passionate about is bringing causes to his heart in to the spotlight whether that be tackling AIDS on television or calls for paralysis research.
In 1996, months after his riding accident, Reeve made an appearance at the Oscars, where he was given a standing ovation. He also got the opportunity to speak about his experience and the lessons that would lead him to establish the foundation that bears his name.
He also became active in speaking about the needs of incapacitated people and appeared at the National Democratic Convention.
Christopher Reeve as father and family man
But more than being Superman, the documentary allowed viewers to look into Reeve as a son, father, and husband. In interviews from his close friends and kids, it explained his fear of marriage commitments with his ex-partner Gae Exton and wife Dana. He did marry Dana years after they got together.
When his career peaked because of Superman, Gae was the person he leaned to the most and his two kids with her – Matthew and Alexandra. Although their relationship did not work out, the two co-parented. Dana didn’t forced herself into Matthew and Alexandra as a stepmom and the two became close to her.
On top of being a dad, the documentary also gave an inside peek into Christopher Reeve’s relationship with his parents, which his kids admitted was traumatic for him, promising to himself that he would always be there for his children.
The video footages showed Reeve spending time with his family through sports, something Matthew said was crucial. “He was always competitive,” he said, pointing to his dad’s love for adventure from parasailing to flying a plane.
Even after he was paralyzed, Reeve made sure his children had a normal life. He coached Will to ride a bike by just telling him instructions. Reeve made sure he was present for his children in their milestones like graduation and birthdays.
Matthew and Alexandra also spoke about the importance of conversations they had when having dinner. Now parents themselves, Matthew admitted at 42, the same age when his dad got paralyzed made him think what if he was in the same situation, since he had a son whose age was like that of his younger brother when the accident happened.
Will also shed light into what his mom felt when their dad was paralyzed. He shared an entry from one of her journals, wherein she described one of her towels wet after she sobbed and reflected on the challenges she and Reeve endured after his accident.
Dana Reeve died on March 6, 2006 after battling lung cancer.
It’s a story of man who was a hero in people’s eyes
Although today’s generation only know him through the Superman films and YouTube interviews, Christopher Reeve was a hero in his own right. When asked what was a hero for him in an interview, he said: ” my answer was a hero is someone who commits a courageous action without considering the consequences.”
“Now, my definition is completely different. I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere, endure, and inspire in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”
The documentary is more than just a biography of his life. It’s a story of a man who was a hero in people’s eyes. He was Superman for many kids growing up in the late 70s and 80s, a time when superhero films were not as popular today. He gave hope to many and that hope is carried on by his three children and the people behind the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, which continues its mission to help people walk again after being paralyzed.
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is an opportunity for today’s generation to reflect on their purpose in life. We’ve always looked for a hero and maybe the hero we are looking for is just in front of our eyes: our mom or our dads just like how Matthew, Alexandra, and Will see in their dad.
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