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Everyone knows Superman is beyond this world. An alien sent down to earth disguised as an everyday man but here to keep us safe and remind us how good humanity can be. Over the years the character of Superman has gone through many iterations but it’s hard to argue that the most acclaimed live action version of Superman was when Christopher Reeve stepped into the suit. A mere unknown when he first appeared in Richard Donner’s 1978 “Superman” and from there it was up up and away for Reeve who became a cultural icon. Those familiar with Reeve as Superman are also aware of the life altering horse riding accident that left him a quadriplegic. But with most biopic documentaries there is always a greater story to tell. SUPER/MAN: THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY (directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui) premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film festival to great praise and even greater tears. Here is a doc that isn’t focused on just a mere birth to death storytelling but rather one of those rare instances where the love and support of the subject’s family is what guides and supports the film. In a time where Warner Brothers has abused the character of Superman with immoral A.I. or misunderstanding of the character as a whole it is great to see a documentary that honors both the legacy Reeve and Superman as men, fathers, and the impact they will forever leave on us. But above all else it is a story of a real life superhero and his family that made him believe he can fly.

While SUPER/MAN does go through the usual beats of introducing us to Christopher Reeve it is such a welcomed introduction as Bonhôte Ettedgui’s film infuses exciting archive footage with stunning new visuals (don’t worry no A.I. was used in the making) but that depict Reeves as the colossal statue of a man he was, all infused with John William’s classic “Superman” score. Seriously the second those horns start blasting with footage of Reeve with his family you can’t help but cry. Talking heads abound the film has its fair share of exciting A listers form Susan Sarandon (who loves to talk about her crush on Reeve, can’t blame her) to Jeff Daniels who humorously tells stories of being jealous and yet proud when his fellow Juilliard classmate got the audition of a life time with Superman. The filmmakers know many want to see behind the scenes footage of the making of Superman and while it does cover a great deal the film truly shines in those home videos. Even more so is the brutal honesty of both the videos and the talking heads of Reeve’s children. They love their father but no man is simply let off the hook for home life issues not even the man of steel.

The film also doesn’t not take long to touch on Reeve’s tragic accident, and why should it. Beating around the bush only diminishes the man and reduces him to someone unable to be himself. That was not Christopher Reeve. Sure we must also hear about the emotional turmoil this accident caused his mental state, but the documentary also has a blast showing the love and support Reeve received from fans and friends. One of those closest friends being the late great Robin Williams his presence in the film allows for a duality of two men dealing with a tremendous amount of pain but find strength in one another and laughter. But above any friend is Reeve’s family. His children Will, Matt and Alexandra are all given ample time to show the trials and tribulations of growing up with an icon. Moments of them enjoying every outdoor activity imaginable is a joy to see but even more so are those painful but heartwarming moments of Matt and Alexandra who do not share the same mother as Will take him under their wing and never once see themselves as step siblings. After all Jonathan and Martha Kent never saw their son Clark as anything less than their family. Sometimes life really does beautifully imitate reality.

Mothers are a real source of power in SUPER/MAN as the film documents how Dana Reeve came into Christopher’s life and even more so how she stood by, protected and loved him and their children after his accident. If Christopher is Superman then Dana is Wonder Woman. The latter half of the film shines when showing Dana take on the responsibility of Christopher’s charity the Reeve Foundation. The film also doesn’t forget Christopher’s first love Gae Exton who is the mother to Matt and Alexandra, a woman who never stops guiding her family even after unfortunate circumstances that ended her relationship with Christopher. The best kind of documentaries are the ones that find a new story halfway through and grow through it and SUPER/MAN as much as it is about the man is also about the women and children that fought off any Kryptonite when Christopher no longer could.

On a more personal note it was such a privilege to attend this premiere with the Reeve family. With Superman being my all time favorite comic book character it was a moment in time I won’t soon forget. SUPER/MAN much like the character reminds us of the goodness in the world and how the right person can make us believe we too can fly.

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SUPER/MAN: THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY PREMIERED AT THE 2024 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL. IT IS CURRENTLY SEEKING U.S. DISTRIBUTION