Superman actor Christopher Reeve's children remember 'wonderful dad'

The children of the late actor Christopher Reeve remembered the Hollywood star as a “great dad.”

Reeve, who played Superman in the 1970s and 1980s, died in 2004, ten years after he was left paralyzed in a serious horse-riding accident.

His three children appear in Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, the new film about his life, which has been nominated for best documentary at next year's Oscars.

His son Matthew Reeve said his celebrity status didn't overshadow his family life, explaining: “He didn't take his work home, he was like any other dad.”

Matthew told BBC One's The One Show. on Tuesday: “We had to watch our table manners, eat our vegetables, do our homework, practice the piano.

“But of course you went to the playground and the children recognized him. He was just a great, great dad.”

When asked how the other children reacted to him, Matthew joked, “Once they made the initial distinction between fiction and reality and realized he couldn't fly, the disappointment set in.”

Many viewers watching the documentary already know the story of Christopher Reeve.

The American actor was one of the most recognizable movie stars in the world and in 1995 he was thrown from a horse.

The documentary shows how he adapted to a new lifestyle after the accident, which gave him a new perspective on life.

It's essentially a film about a man struggling with a disability, but it's also filled with Hollywood glitz and moments of humor.

There are archival behind-the-scenes footage from Reeve's filming of “Superman” and the story of what a huge film phenomenon this series of films became.

Talking heads in the documentary include Reeve's friends and fellow actors Glenn Close and Susan Sarandon.

Reeve's friendship with the late Robin Williams is also powerfully portrayed, and the “Mrs. Doubtfire” star's jokes raise the tone throughout the film.

Super/Man even includes a trip to the Oscars. Shortly after the accident, Reeve accepts an invitation to the Oscars while he and his team try to figure out if such a trip is even logistically possible.

“(The trip) was extremely important to him,” Matthew told the BBC, “because it was his first public appearance.

“He was quite concerned about it. He was nervous. But it was also a great reason for us to be proud. We stayed up very late to watch it.

“Seeing a disabled person, a movie star, center stage in front of such a large audience had a huge impact on the culture.”

The showbiz anecdotes included in the documentary shed light on the otherwise tragic story of a man who lost his career in an instant.

However, there are positives to be found in the way Reeve dealt with the aftermath of the accident. It's fascinating to see how his relationships with the people around him have changed.

Although severe physical limitations proved to be an obstacle in many aspects of his life, they paradoxically seemed to improve his relationships with his children, with whom Reeve was able to build a deeper relationship thanks to their focus on conversation rather than activity.

“While this is a film about one man's struggles, it is also a family drama, and the way his paralysis changes the dynamic over the years is delightful.” said IndieWire critic Siddhant Adlakha.

The actor's injuries were creatively depicted using a green substance – clearly reminiscent of kryptonite – that gradually covers his bones in the reconstructed X-rays.

The film received warm reviews. While the directors “tell Reeve's journey with appropriate tenderness, it is not hagiography,” noted Bill Bria of SlashFilm.

“He consistently reminds viewers that this was a real person, not a savior from another star.”

“The film does not sugarcoat or downplay Reeve's difficulties transitioning into a disabled person.” added Carla Hay from Culture Mix.

“There are plenty of tear-inducing moments throughout the documentary, but there are also many moments of joy and hope.”

However, a positive reaction from critics does not guarantee an Oscar nomination.

In recent years, the Academy's documentary division has repeatedly eschewed celebrity-run properties.

Last awards season, films about actor Michael J. Fox and musician Jon Batiste didn't even make it into this category.

The documentary, which hits cinemas on November 1, had its UK premiere on Monday at the London Film Festival.

Alexandra Reeve Gives noted, “This year marks the 20th anniversary of our dad's death, and while this wasn't the intentional way to mark the anniversary, it just felt comfortable enough for us to be willing to share this story.

“There is also a whole generation of people who want to learn more about his life.”

The film features home videos that the family shared with the documentary's directors, Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui.

“Reliving these experiences was incredibly powerful,” Alexandra said.

“(The film) obviously tells our dad's story, (with) amazing Superman footage from his early years, but they also made it a much bigger story about what it's like to be a family and stick together through life thick and thin. “