Up Up And Away
My family had a little viewing of Superman: The Movie, which I hadn’t seen for a number of years. There were a number of things that were rather silly, like Kryptonian technology being powered by hula hoops and Marlon Brando looking like he is reading his lines at some points (which according to legend, he is.) And it’s especially odd seeing Brando get top billing, then Gene Hackman, THEN Christopher Reeves.
But what really struck me was the scene with the first appearance of Superman in Metropolis. It wasn’t anything especially spectacular: catching first Lois Lane and then a damaged helicopter as they fell off the roof of the Daily Planet. But the reaction of the crowd, first astonishment, then joy, was really quite beautiful in a very honest and innocent way. I’ve never really been a Superman fan, but I can’t deny there is a real power to the concept of that moment of realization.
I was shocked last week when I read that Reeve had passed away. When I was a kid, the earliest “grown-up” movie I remember seeing was Superman III, perhaps not the best movie experience, but very memorable, especially the Clark Kent/Superman fight in the junkyard. Like so many other people, Reeve was synonymous with Superman for me, and his riding accident and subsequent paralysis was shocking.
But Reeve showed he was a real hero, not only through his work promoting funding for research into reversing spinal cord damage, but his continued involvement with the film industry, which he clearly loved. His appearance as a scientist on Smallville, with hints of the classic John Williams theme worked into the score, was one of the most touching television moments I’ve ever seen.
I am sorry that Christopher Reeve was never able to walk again, like he wished. But maybe now, he’s flying, and flashing us that trademark smile on the way.