Christopher Reeve and his portrayal of Superman are likely to come up a fair bit in the upcoming months. We’re nearing the start of a new era for DC Films with the upcoming Superman film in 2025. Looking back, Reeve was much more than just Superman on screen. He was a family man, an advocate for the environment, and much more. That doesn’t even count the work that he put in for disability rights and as an activist after his tragic horseback riding accident in 1995. The documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story puts his life into perspective with the backdrop of the character of Superman.

It was an enlightening documentary to see for someone who wasn’t necessarily aware of Reeve and his activism growing up. A younger generation might not know just how important Reeve was for disabled people around the world. This documentary shows that side of his life and then some including his time before he got the role of Superman. It also delves deep into his family life between his first partner and his wife Dana Reeve. In between are mixed stories from friends and family about his time before the accident, during his recovery, and the period of his life post-accident. It all adds up to a celebration of one of the most cherished performers in movie history.

That doesn’t mean that it is all a rosy, wonderful time though. There are portions of the doc that delve into Reeve’s issues with his father, his family life, and his career. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story doesn’t pull any punches, especially when it comes to his family life. Reeve was a normal man, he was not Superman in real life, he had edges, and made mistakes. The testimonials from his family about his first relationship, and his interview clips about his laissez-faire sort of attitude when it came to marriage, paint a picture of a multi-faceted man that wasn’t perfect.

Directors Ian Bonhote and Peter Ettedgui take a pretty standard route through Reeve’s life, skipping a lot of his early life, and focusing more on his time as Superman and the accident. They rely on some archival footage, new interviews with his friends and family, and other footage to tell the story. Where the documentary really hits is in the time after his accident. There are portions of it that are heartbreaking and will make anyone cry like a baby. It’s a tragic story, but that story turns on its head with triumphant moments like his appearance at the 1996 Academy Awards.

There are also smaller moments that hit just as hard, like Robin Williams talking about his friend and college roommate. Robin and Christopher were incredibly close, and you can see that Reeve’s accident had a huge impact on Williams. It’s safe to say that Williams’ words at Christopher Reeve’s funeral will make anyone break down. The documentary doesn’t stop there, though. It goes into what happened after Reeve’s passing and the work that the Dana and Christopher Reeve Foundation has done.

Christopher Reeve as Superman in Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story

Overall, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is a worthwhile look into the life and family of one of the most cherished performers we’ve ever had. For many people Reeve was/is the quintessential Superman. His tragic accident in 1995 could have derailed his entire life, but it was a moment for him to reflect and move forward, championing attention and awareness for paralyzed people around the world. Be prepared to cry, it’s an emotional documentary, but one that has a triumphant energy thoughout.

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story releases in theaters on September 21st.

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