Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Superman – The Christopher Reeve Story review says it’s an inspiring and surprising doc about a remarkable man, his family, his friends, and his fight. Bring plenty of tissues.

There is so much I’d forgotten, or perhaps never knew, about Christopher Reeve. This moving documentary reminded and inspired me, in the warmest ways.

With so many actors playing the Man of Steel over the years in addition to Reeve, most notably George Reeves, Brandon Routh, Henry Cavill, Dean Cane and Tom Welling, the first thing that struck me is that Reeve is the ultimate Superman—devastatingly handsome, square jawed, earnest and deep.

Yet this was hardly Reeve’s consummate role.

The documentary brings awareness that he was a father, husband, friend and fearless activist for the quest to find a cure for spinal cord injuries, as well as a passionate advocate for disability rights and care.

His story is told by those who were closest to him—his now grown sons and daughter, his closest friends like Robin Williams, Glenn Close and Susan Sarandon—even his ex-wife.

It’s sprinkled with interesting facts that flesh out his real life character.  I never knew he was educated at both Cornell and Juliard, and that he was mostly a budding stage actor and a virtual unknown when he was asked to audition for the role of Superman. His professional actor friends cautioned him against it, claiming he would be typecast.

For that and other reasons, he dreaded the sequels that would lay the groundwork for the multiple superhero universes and franchises we know today. He could barely endure doing his fourth Superman film.

I was a little more aware of his crippling equestrian accident, and how it affected his life, and the lives of so many others by bringing awareness too, and supporting research for, those who suffer from spinal cord injuries. 

The details of his real life are truly heroic, as were those of his wife Dana, who died of lung cancer about a year after Reeve passed.

Superman – The Christopher Reeve Story review — Why it matters

With no social or political agenda trying to hammer points home, directors Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui have created a documentary that can change lives. It encourages viewers to ask the questions, What can I do with the tools I’ve been given make a difference? What is truly important? What kind of legacy will I leave?

Christopher Reeve continues to touch lives through this inspiring documentary. It’s a cinematic gift.

Rated PG-13

1 Hour 44 Minutes

If this Superman – The Christopher Reeve Story review inspires you to soar on over to the cineplex, get times and tickets at Fandango.com.

Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Superman – The Christopher Reeve Story review says it’s an inspiring and surprising doc about a remarkable man, his family, his friends, and his fight. Bring plenty of tissues.