(no subject)

[serai]

Good night, sweet Prince...





...and flights of angels sing you to your rest.




I was going to write an essay about Chris Reeve, and mainly his portrayals of (for me) two of the loveliest romantic figures in modern cinema - Superman and Richard Collier.





About how, against all odds, his energy and wonder and humor made his Superman such a perfect embodiment of the quintessential American icon, while avoiding the pitfalls of cliche and smarminess.





About how he completely captured my heart as a teenager, when I first saw Somewhere In Time (based on the lovely, tragic novel Bid Time Return by Richard Matheson), and how his performance in that film, 26 years later, can still bring me to tears with its portrayal of the utter fascination and enchantment of love.





And about how his willingness to play both of these characters as real people with truth and essential dignity made possible the connection that brings an audience to care.


But I find I can't say any more than that. And what came later - well, I can't say anything about that either. Except for one thing, perhaps. He didn't deserve it.





Goodbye, man.

And thanks.

Comments

[celandine-g.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Serai. You said it perfectly.

Those two movies are among my most memorable too.

Sigh.

[2cbetter.livejournal.com]

I too loved Somewhere In Time and I am always moved to tears when I watch it especially the ending as it is so sad yet so beautiful and happy in a way as Richard and Elise got their reunion at last...

It is the movie I will always remember Christopher Reeve for - and I'll always respect him for how he lived the last 9 years of his life despite the injury that took away his ability to walk...