by ECI Released : 2023-09-24
In honor of the late Christopher Reeve's 71st birthday we will be examining his most famous film (Superman) and his most underrated (Somewhere in Time)
Superman is directed by Richard Donner and was released in 1978. Despite its slightly dated special effects (which were groundbreaking at the time of their release) it still stands out along with its sequel Superman II, as some of the best films in the superhero genre. These two films perfectly capture the innocence and themes of the original Superman comics which allowed the character to maintain popularity for nearly a century. Christopher Reeve's despite his imposing frame is believable as timid and bumbling reporter Clark Kent, and fantastic as Superman. Gene Hackman and Margot Kidder are also perfectly cast as Lex Luthor and Louis Lane respectively.
Then there's the 1980 criminally underrated Somewhere in Time. Somewhere in Time stars Reeves as Chicago playwright Richard Collier, who travels to the Grand Hotel in order to get over his writer's block. There he falls in love with an old picture of a beautiful woman and ends up traveling back to 1912 to meet her. The film is fantastic as both a fantasy film, and a drama film. On the surface Reeves' character is similar to his portrayal of Clark Kent but with a more natural confidence and charm. Jane Seymour and Christopher Plummer round out the supporting cast. With Seymour portraying stage actress Elise McKenna and Christopher Plummer playing her overprotective manager.
Both films allow Reeves to show off his acting chops, and honor the legacy of one of the 20th century's greatest film stars.
