Superman actor Christopher Reeve’s children remember ‘awesome dad’

Late actor Christopher Reeve’s children remember the Hollywood star as their “amazing dad”.

Reeve, who played Superman in the 1970s and ’80s, died in 2004, a decade after being paralyzed in a serious horse-riding accident.

Three of his children appear in a new film about his life, “Superman: The Christopher Levi Story,” which is expected to be nominated for a best documentary Oscar next year.

His son Matthew Reeve said the actor’s celebrity status did not overshadow family life, explaining: “He didn’t bring his work home, he was just like any other dad.”

Matthew told BBC One’s The One Show Tuesday: “We must pay attention to table manners, eat vegetables, do homework, and practice piano.

“But of course, you go to the playground and the kids recognize him. He’s a great dad.”

When asked how other children reacted to him, Matthew joked: “Once they get over the initial difference between fiction and reality and realize he can’t fly, then the disappointment sets in.”

Many viewers of this documentary are already familiar with the story of Christopher Levi.

The American actor, one of the world’s best-known movie stars, fell off a horse in 1995.

The documentary focuses on how he adapted to a new lifestyle and gained a new perspective on life after the accident.

At its heart, this is a movie about a man coping with a disability, but it’s also filled with moments of Hollywood glitz and humor.

It features behind-the-scenes footage of Reeve’s filming of Superman and a retelling of how huge a cinematic phenomenon the franchise became.

A-listers in the documentary include Reeve’s friends and actors Glenn Close and Susan Sarandon.

Reeve’s friendship with the late Robin Williams is also on full display, with the “My Fair Lady” star’s jokes lifting the tone of the entire film.

Superman even has a trip to the Oscars. Shortly after the accident, Reeve accepted an invitation to attend the Oscars, and he and his team tried to figure out whether the trip would be logistically feasible.

“[That trip] It was very important for him,” Matthew told the BBC, “because it was his first public appearance.

“He was very worried about it. He was nervous. But it was also a source of pride for us. We stayed up late watching it.

“To see a disabled person, a movie star, center stage, in front of such a large audience, had a huge cultural impact.”

The showbiz anecdotes in the documentary offer a glimmer of light in the tragic story of a man who lost his career in an instant.

But there is a silver lining to the way Reeve handled the aftermath of the accident. It’s interesting to see how his relationships with those around him change.

While his severe physical limitations proved to be a hindrance in many aspects of his life, paradoxically, the limitations seemed to improve his relationships with his children, with whom Reeve was able to develop deeper relationships as they focused on Conversation rather than activity.

“While this is a film about one man’s struggles, it’s also a family drama, and it’s fascinating how his paralysis changes their dynamics over the years.” Said IndieWire critic Siddhant Adlakha.

The actor’s injuries were creatively represented with a green substance – apparently similar to kryptonite – which can be seen gradually covering his bones in reconstructed X-rays.

The film received rave reviews. While its director “narrates Reeve’s journey with appropriate tenderness, this is not a biography,” SlashFilm’s Bill Bria noted.

“It’s a constant reminder to the audience that this is a real human being, not a savior from another star.”

“The film does not sugarcoat or downplay Reeve’s difficult transition to becoming disabled,” adds Carla Hay of Culture Mix.

“There are a lot of tear-jerking moments throughout the documentary, but there are also a lot of moments of joy and hope.”

However, positive critical response does not guarantee an Oscar nomination.

In recent years, the Academy’s documentary department has repeatedly shied away from celebrity-led productions.

During the recent awards season, films about actor Michael J. Fox and musician Jon Batiste failed to make it into the category.

The documentary will be released in November and had its UK premiere at the London Film Festival on Monday.

Alexandra Reeve Gives noted: “This year marks the 20th anniversary of our father’s death, and while this was not the intended way to commemorate it, it felt like the right time and we felt comfortable enough. Be prepared to share the story.

“There’s an entire generation that wants to know more about his life.”

The film features home videos shared by the family with documentary filmmakers Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui.

“Reliving these experiences is very powerful,” Alexandra said.

“[The film] Telling the story of our father, of course, [with] There was amazing Superman footage shot there in the early years, but they also turned it into a larger story about what it means to be united as a family through thick and thin.