Hollywood, CA – For decades, Christopher Reeve was the definitive on-screen Superman, captivating audiences with his portrayal of the iconic hero. But now, his children are lifting the veil on the real-life man behind the cape in the new documentary “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story.”
Directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, the film offers a comprehensive and unfiltered look at Reeve’s life, from his early days as a rising actor to the tragic accident that left him paralyzed. And according to his kids, that was precisely the approach they wanted to take.
“He wouldn’t have wanted to be viewed through rose-colored glasses. He would want art and cinema and factual, comprehensive storytelling, and that’s what he got,” Reeve’s youngest son, Will, told The Associated Press.
Indeed, the documentary includes never-before-seen home videos and candid interviews with Reeve’s three children – Matthew, Alexandra, and Will – who were determined to present the complete picture of their father’s life, warts and all.
“It’s important to us to be honest, raw, and vulnerable and give a 360-degree view of a very human life, of a very human family,” Will explained.
That human element is fully displayed throughout the film, delving into the complexities of Reeve’s personal and professional relationships. Viewers get a glimpse into his tumultuous first marriage to Gae Exton and the deep bond he shared with his “Julliard brother,” Robin Williams.
“Close suggests in the film that Reeve and Robin Williams — Julliard classmates and close friends — had a deep connection and that if Reeve were still alive, Williams likely would be too,” the report states.
But the documentary’s most powerful moments come in the aftermath of Reeve’s near-fatal horse-riding accident in 1995, which left him paralyzed from the neck down. Here, his children genuinely shine, offering a raw and emotional account of the family’s struggles and their father’s unwavering determination to reclaim his life and use his platform to advocate for others with disabilities.
“After becoming a quadriplegic, Reeve and his family were shocked at the lack of resources for people with disabilities and started the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation to help improve quality of life and fund research for a cure for people with spinal cord injuries,” the report notes.
For the Reeve children, revisiting this chapter of their father’s life was powerful and profoundly meaningful. As Will Reeve, who was only 12 when his father passed away, explains, the process gave him a newfound appreciation for the values instilled in him by his parents.
“There’s a scenario in which things could have turned out differently,” he said. “But because of the values instilled in us by our parents, because of the way that they let us into their lives, the good and the bad, the joyous and the tragic… that prepared us for life’s difficulties and joys.”
The film’s directors, Bonhôte and Ettedgui, were equally struck by the Reeve family’s resilience and openness. They recall their first in-person meeting with the three siblings, describing each embodying different aspects of their father’s remarkable persona.
“We’d met, in Matthew, the reflective, poetic, artistic soul,” Ettedgui said. “Then you’ve got Alexandra, who’s like the advocacy side of Chris. And you’ve got Will, who is like the performer. The first time we met him for breakfast in London, it felt like meeting Superman.”
As the documentary prepares for its wide release, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of Reeve’s passing, Will Reeve acknowledges the significance of this moment. While he may have a brief cameo in the upcoming Superman reboot, he knows his father will always be the “definitive” Man of Steel.
But more than that, Will and his siblings hope that “Super/Man” will inspire others to celebrate the full complexity of their father’s life and legacy—the triumphs and tragedies, the strengths and weaknesses. Because, as they’ve learned, it’s in that honesty and vulnerability that we find the true essence of a hero.
“To see those elements of his character that stayed constant throughout his life: the commitment, the intensity, the passion, the strength,” Alexandra Reeve Givens said. “Those things changed after the accident and manifested in new ways. That strength suddenly meant something different. It was a strength to get up every day.”