Once I first heard about Tremendous/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, I had a sense this was going to be one of the crucial outstanding and emotional experiences on the 2024 film schedule. Once I noticed the documentary’s lovely trailer over the summer season, I made a observe to look at it as quickly because it grew to become obtainable with a Max subscription. And I did. I used to be blown away by it from begin to end, however there was one factor I didn’t totally anticipate: Robin Williams being at its emotional core.
Certain, I knew that the friendship shared by the 2 late actors was a key a part of Christopher Reeve’s story – each earlier than and after the Might 1995 accident that left him paralyzed – however the varied levels of their decades-long relationship created a few of the most magical and unforgettable moments of the whole documentary. And I simply have to speak about it…
Tremendous/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story Was A Highly effective And Transferring Documentary, However The Robin Williams Stuff Hits So Laborious
As a complete, Tremendous/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story reveals all of the methods the late Superman actor grew to become a real-life superhero within the years between his tragic accident and loss of life almost a decade later, in addition to his enduring legacy 20 years after his passing. With house movies from his household’s assortment, units of his most well-known movies, and all of the work he put into his struggle for incapacity rights later in life, the almost two-hour documentary wastes no time exploring his life, legacy, and affect.
However, as I used to be watching the documentary, and even now a number of days after the credit rolled, the affect Robin Williams had on Reeves, and vice versa, is one thing I can’t cease enthusiastic about. Figuring out that Williams’ life would come to a tragic finish a number of months shy of the tenth anniversary of his greatest pal’s loss of life added much more weight to an already emotional story. The triumph and tragedy of life, in addition to the ecstasy and agony of existence, are all explored by means of this tight bond shared by two former faculty roommates.
Robin Williams Dressing Up Like A Physician After Reeve’s Accident Exhibits The Energy Of Friendship
Although Williams was battling his personal demons all through his life, the comic at all times knew how you can make us giggle with some much-needed comedian reduction. However it wasn’t simply on the display or stage the place the beloved comic brightened the spirits of these round him together with his signature model of humor, as detailed in Tremendous/Man.
When the documentary turns its focus to the times and weeks following Reeve’s accident, there’s a clip of Williams on Oprah the place he talks about dressing up like a Russian proctologist and messing together with his pricey pal to elevate his spirits. Instantly following that’s an outdated recording of Reeve speaking about that second and the way his outdated pal had let him know that “one way or the other I used to be going to be okay.”
That anecdote, which is only one of many instructed all through the movie, reveals the true energy of friendship and the way there’s nothing higher than having somebody pricey to you are available in, make you giggle, and allow you to know that it’s going to be okay.
Keep in mind the 1996 Oscars ceremony, the place to the shock of everybody, Christopher Reeve appeared on stage and made his first public look for the reason that accident 10 months earlier? Properly, Williams and his then-wife, Marsha, had an enormous function in making that second occur. Within the documentary, it’s revealed that the couple bought a retrofitted van for Reeves in order that he might get to the airport.
Even years after the accident, Williams continued to assist his longtime pal. At one level, within the doc, Reeve’s assistant, Laurie Hawkins, talks about how the comic, known as “Brother Robin,” was on the record of individuals the household and caretakers would name upon to assist elevate his pal out of a state of melancholy. Then, simply moments later, Glenn Shut begins speaking about Williams throwing a celebration for his pal on the anniversary of his accident yearly, calling it a “celebration” and an “appreciation of life.”
One factor I discovered notably fascinating on this part of the documentary was an outdated recording of Reeve speaking about his friendship with Williams and the way they by no means actually bought wrapped up in conversations concerning the incapacity or him being confined to a wheelchair. As an alternative, they laughed and carried on as in the event that they have been simply two associates hanging out.
Robin Williams Talking At Christopher Reeve’s Funeral Was Totally Heartbreaking
I used to be seven years outdated when Reeve was paralyzed and 16 when he handed away in October 2004, and so I knew full nicely how the story would finish even earlier than urgent play. Nonetheless, I wasn’t prepared to look at the snippets of Williams delivering a eulogy at his pal’s funeral. Gutted isn’t a robust sufficient phrase to explain how I felt watching one of many funniest comedians to ever stroll the earth look so unhappy, defeated, and alone up there on stage.
Earlier than sending off his pal with “Might flights of angels sing thee to thy relaxation” from William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Williams talked about his “brother” and the way regardless of being the chaos to Reeve’s order in life, it was pleasure. Although he tried to make jokes to lighten the temper, I nonetheless can’t assist however see the sorrow and anguish in Williams’ eyes as he stated goodbye to somebody so pricey to his coronary heart.
After Watching The Documentary, I Miss Robin Williams Even Extra
That is in all probability the case for lots of people my age, however few movie star deaths hit me as onerous as Robin Williams’ in August 2014. A decade later, I’m nonetheless making an attempt to course of it, nonetheless making an attempt to make sense of it, and nonetheless making an attempt to return to phrases with the truth that somebody who introduced a lot pleasure to so many lives might have been going by means of a lot darkness of their last days.
I miss Williams. He was within the first film I ever noticed in theaters (Hook). He made me giggle in his comedic roles, he made me cry in his stellar dramatic performances, and he has been an inspiration to me for years. Watching Tremendous/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story not solely helped me be taught concerning the man who performed Superman and bettered the lives of numerous folks around the globe, but additionally say goodbye to his pal, and my childhood hero.
Tremendous/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is a touching tribute to the actor in its identify but additionally the friendship he shared with Robin Williams. And with James Gunn’s upcoming Superman set to pay tribute to Reeves indirectly, his legacy will reside on for generations to return.
Stream Tremendous/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story on Max.