Christopher Reeve is forever Superman on screen, but Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, the 2024 HBO Max documentary directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui (co-written with Otto Burnham), isn’t interested in casting him as a flawless hero. Instead, it presents a man who is fully human: gifted, ambitious, wounded, sometimes fallible, and ultimately, greatly courageous in the everyday sense of the word.
Family, Fame, and the Making of a Man
From the outset, the film paints Reeve as a serious, dedicated actor long before he donned a cape. Archival footage and interviews trace his stage training and early projects alongside Jeff Daniels and others, his rigorous preparation for auditions, and his deep desire to earn approval from his highly intellectual, poet-academic father. And by the way, he was roommates with a “little-known actor” called Robin Williams.
Reeve grew up in a fractured family, divorced parents, step-parents, and the weight of high expectations, and he carried much of that brokenness into adulthood. His first long-term relationship with British model manager Gae Exton produced two children, Alexandra and Matthew, but Reeve struggled to maintain the commitment. The documentary candidly underlines these imperfections, showing a man whose choices were sometimes selfish, sometimes impulsive, but always part of his larger, complicated humanity.
Later, his relationship with Dana becomes transformative. As Reeve’s daughter recalls “Dana was his sunshine”. Dana’s warmth, humor, and steadfast love allow Reeve to become not just a better partner, but a fully present father to their son William. The film emphasizes that it is these relationships, not the cape that define Reeve’s heroism.
May 27, 1995: Accident and Immediate Aftermath
Reeve’s life up to that earth-shattering moment was a whirlwind of dedication. Already known as an incredibly committed stage actor, he had thrown himself into the role of Superman with single-minded intensity: rapid-fire auditions in London, rigorous weightlifting, careful attention to diet, and crazy training to exceed expectations. His naturally slim build meant he had to reshape his body entirely, transforming himself physically and mentally for the part.
And when he was offered a part in a new adaptation of Anna Karenina opposite Jacqueline Bisset, he began horse training despite a severe allergy, committing himself professionally for six months, injecting antihistamines daily just to ride. It was the kind of meticulous, extreme devotion that defined him as an actor.
The accident itself highlights the randomness of life. An inch to the left, he might have walked away; an inch to the right, and the outcome could have been immediate death. Instead, Reeve was paralyzed from the neck down, forced into stillness: a stark contrast to the adventurous, hyperactive man who had once skied, sailed, and played ice hockey with infinite energy.
The film shows openly how Reeve responded to this new reality. First, he wanted to be “let go” – and Dana eventually made me want to stay. Then slowly, he became a tireless advocate for spinal cord injury treatment and disability rights, founding the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. As Christopher tells us through archives, he grew into a better father by not doing crazy physical activity and traveling with his family, instead staying present, connecting and talking over the dinner table. Paradoxically, he through this enormous adversity, he discovered a new, more grounded way of life.
And while some criticized him for promoting hope in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds at the foundation, the documentary frames this as his belief in hope itself – a conviction that could inspire without misleading.
Heroism and Artistic Depth
While many remember him as Superman, the documentary offers a glimpse into Reeve’s broader body of work. Some archival footage shows his stage performances and his exploration of dramatic roles, including in James Ivory’s beautiful The Remains of the Day. It is a shame, his serious roles did not get a bit more screen time.
The nonlinear storytelling – jumping between childhood, career highlights, the accident, and family life – keeps the narrative dynamic, giving viewers insight into the multidimensional actor behind the public icon. I loved the animation too: a superman-like sculpted figure moving elegantly somewhere out in the cosmos. He is between worlds now.
The documentary excels in capturing intimacy. Archival contributions from friends and family, and talking head interviews (Glenn Close, Susan Sarandon and others) provide warmth and humor, showing the depth of these lifelong connections. One particularly moving moment features William reading Dana Reeve’s diary entry, revealing the quiet realities of their love, her solitude and care after the accident. Simple gestures, a wet towel held to comfort Dana when Chris can no longer embrace her, become powerful symbols of everyday heroism.
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is a masterclass in humanizing an icon. It refuses to turn Reeve into a pristine, unreachable superhero. Instead, it presents him as someone complicated, sometimes flawed, often wounded, and yet deeply inspiring. Through family, advocacy, and quiet daily courage, he becomes a real hero – not because he could fly, but because he faced life, tragedy, and love with honesty and resilience.
And for those curious to see the story for themselves, it’s currently streaming on HBO Max and Amazon.
~ by Dora Endre ~
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