MOVIE REVIEWS

Unlike many retrospectives of late lamented actors, this film has a much greater degree of honesty from it's contributors as it takes a look back at the life of the man most famous for darting about in a blue cape saving the world from Gene Hackman and Terence Stamp. It also benefits from being about a man and his family whose lives have been captured to quite an extent by home movies that illustrate the joyous, and heinous, moments as he rose to fame then struggled to come to terms with his life-altering accident. What we are given here is a frank portrayal of an actor - maybe not the most versatile, it has to be said - who tread the boards off, off-Broadway before lucking out at the audition in London the made him an household name. The principal narrative is provided by those closest to him - his long-term ex-girlfriend Gae Exton, the mother of their children Matt and Ali and by Will, his son with Reeve's profoundly stoical and steadfast wife Dana. There is also some insight from Jeff Daniels, Whoopi Goldberg and Glenn Close - and there is an interesting degree of frankness from these people that also touches on issues faced by some of their mutual friends. Though sympathetic and celebratory, these comments are not entirely adulatory. Indeed, his elder son offers us some thinly veiled criticism of a man who maybe didn't focus as he could have on his first family, and who had a reputation as a bit of a rake at times, too. The documentary quite successfully uses more archive to demonstrate this family's determination after his paralysis to do what could be done to raise awareness and funds to improve treatment and support for others. Apparently some 4 million Americans have some sort of disability and in trying to address this, he demonstrates the power of celebrity to stretch far beyond symbolism proving that political connections, pressure and principle can make a profound difference to situations that many would sooner sweep under the carpet. It's not always easy to watch - but then neither were many of his films - but it does make it's point effectively, avoids sentimentality for the most part, and tells us a story of a flawed man whose sheer willpower and charisma helped create a testament the others may still be befitting from decades later.

“Hero” is a revered term that, regrettably, is often overused, one that should be reserved for those truly deserving of the recognition. What’s more, somewhat surprisingly, it’s a label that is frequently most applicable to those who may not seem like the larger-than-life figures to whom it’s most usually accorded. But, in the case of actor and activist Christopher Reeve (1952-2004), “hero” is an attribute most definitely warranted. Having burst onto the scene in the lead role of “Superman” (1978), he embodied the very notion of movie superhero, a character whose uplifting impact was definitely needed in a society deflated by many daunting challenges at the time. He would subsequently draw upon his success in this film as a springboard to a variety of other, more diverse roles, such as the lead in pictures like the mystical romance “Somewhere in Time” (1980) and the mystery thriller “Deathtrap” (1982), as well as a supporting part in the historical drama “The Remains of the Day” (1993). However, his life took a drastic turn in 1995, when he was nearly fatally injured in an equestrian accident that rendered him a paraplegic. The shock of the incident required a period of difficult adjustment for Reeve, but it would not ultimately deter him from carrying on in various pursuits with the unflinching support of his family and wife, Dana (1961-2006). He returned to acting in a made-for-TV version of “Rear Window” (1998) and assumed directorial responsibilities for the TV movies “In the Gloaming” (1997) and “The Brooke Ellison Story” (2004). He also became an ardent advocate for spinal cord injury care and research that gave hope – and, later, positive results – to many afflicted with this condition, leading to the establishment of an immensely successful charitable foundation and the passage of federal legislation bearing his and Dana’s names for furthering these worthy causes. Reeve’s inspiring story is now the subject of this new DC/HBO/CNN documentary from writer-directors Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui. It features a wealth of archive footage from interviews with the actor, family home movies and clips from his screen and stage performances, along with a variety of current and past conversations with his three children and his many friends and colleagues in the entertainment industry, including Robin Williams, Susan Sarandon, Whoopi Goldberg, Glenn Close, Jeff Daniels and director Richard Donner. Admittedly, the narrative can become somewhat redundant at times, suggesting the need for some judicious editing, but this release provides viewers with an insightful and heartfelt look at the values and virtues that made Reeve who he was – a true hero and a bona fide super man.