Christopher Reeve became a superstar in 1978 when at the age of twenty-six he played Superman opposite acting greats such as Gene Hackman and Marlon Brando. So it was inconceivable that in 1995, following a horse riding accident he was paralyzed from the neck down. This is his story as told by his surviving family and industry friends.

This documentary from Ian Bonhote and Peter Ettedgui is emotional, insightful and most important of all, prepared to show Reeves as a flawed individual. As it drew to a close I am not ashamed to say that I was an emotional wreck and truly felt for his family and friends who still fondly remember him.

The film tracks his whole life. His relationship with the father that he could never live up to and how ultimately he was starting to become like him in his efforts to make him proud. His family life, initially with his partner Gae Exton with whom he had two children and later his wife Dana Morosini with whom he had one child. His career from stage actor, to international superstar to someone who was trying to challenge themselves with more diverse roles as far from a superhero as he could make them. His injury, disability and later the philanthropy work that it blossomed into. And finally, how that injury changed who he was as a father, husband and friend.

The talking heads giving their views include such famous actors as Glenn Close, Susan Sarandon, Whoopi Goldberg and Jeff Daniels. But most importantly both in terms of the insight the film brings and its integrity as a documentary are all three of his children; Will Reeve, Alexandra Reeve Givens and Matthew Reeve. All of whom give emotional, honest and raw depictions of their father and their relationship with him.

For anyone interested in Reeve’s life and times this is a must watch.