Christopher Reeve's rise to becoming a film star, mostly due to the popularity of 1978's "Superman: The Movive", follows with a near-fatal horse-riding accident on May 27, 1995 that left him paralyzed from the neck down. After the accident, with the help of Dana Reeve (his wife), and friends Robin Williams, Michael Manganiello, Will Reeve and Matthew Reeve (his sons), he became an activist for spinal cord injury treatments and disability rights. Through his efforts, many are walking today with the help of special medical treatments all because he cared so much for people.
Others interviewed were Glenn Close, Jeff Daniels, Brooke Ellison, Richard Donner, Steven Kirschblum MD, Whoopi Goldberg, Kevin Johnson, Gae Exton, Alexandra Reeve Givens (his daughter), John Kerry and Laurie Hawkins.
This was directed with a plethora of sobriety and heart by Ian Bonhote ("Alleycats" '16, "McQueen" '18, "Rising Phoenix" '20) plus shorts, and music videos, and Peter Ettedgui ("McQueen" '18, "Rising Phoenix" '20). The exhausting amount of research it took to pull this all together was insurmountable. This actually spans from the early 70's to the passing of Dana Reeve's death in March of 2006. Odd, that Christopher Reeve passed away only two years prior to Dana's death in October of 2004. This film was sequenced perfectly and kept the audience on the edge of their seats. I basically followed Reeve's situation, and I still was able to learn so much more than I ever thought I would receive from this documentary. It was brilliantly written by Peter Ettedgui (" The Temptation of Franz Schubert" (TV movie) '97, "Vigo" '98, "Onegin" '99, "Everything or Nothing" (co-writer) '12, "Listen to Me Marlon" (co-writer) '15, "McQueen" '18) plus TV, and co-written by Ian Bonhote and Otto Burnham. Again, the incredible research these writers obtained was thorough and exhaustive. Their ability to sequence the footage and interviews spanning the better part of four decades, was heart-pounding and sobering. I was in awe of the way this documentary simply fell into place so we can have a whole new look at what this man had to go through, especially when he was a spinal cord advocate.
This film will undoubtedly be nominated come Oscar time for the rawness and heart and thoroughness this documentary carried. This film should be seen by all to experience what this man went through and endured for, not only for his family, but for all people as well. People left the theater very quiet and thoughtful as this film affected them immeasurably.
Out of 4 Stars: 4 Rated: PG-13 104mins.
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