Christopher Reeve’s Top 5 Dramatic Roles: Beyond the Cape and Into the Heart of Cinema

Christopher Reeve may be best known for donning the iconic red cape, but his dramatic roles showcase a depth that rivals his Man of Steel persona. Let’s dive into five of Reeve’s most compelling dramatic performances that prove he’s more than just a superhero.

5. Deathtrap (1982)

• Box Office: $19 million domestic
• Rotten Tomatoes: 75%
• IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
• Letterboxd Rating: 3.5/5
• Odyssey Score: 7.1/10
• Notable Award: Edgar Allan Poe Award nomination for Best Motion Picture

In this twisty thriller, Reeve plays Clifford Anderson, a young playwright caught in a deadly game with his mentor, portrayed by Michael Caine. The film is a delicious blend of dark comedy and suspense, with Reeve showing off his range as he goes toe-to-toe with Caine.

Reeve’s performance is a revelation, full of surprises and hidden depths. He keeps the audience guessing until the very end, proving he could play much more than just the straight-laced hero. It’s like watching Clark Kent turn into Lex Luthor, but with better hair.

Fun Fact: Reeve and Caine became close friends during filming and remained so until Reeve’s passing in 2004.

4. The Bostonians (1984)

• Box Office: $1.9 million domestic
• Rotten Tomatoes: 77%
• IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
• Letterboxd Rating: 3.3/5
• Odyssey Score: 6.8/10
• Notable Award: Golden Globe nomination for Vanessa Redgrave

Based on Henry James’s novel, this period drama sees Reeve as Basil Ransom, a Mississippi lawyer at odds with the burgeoning feminist movement in 1870s Boston. Reeve brings a smoldering intensity to the role, creating a character both charming and frustratingly old-fashioned.

His chemistry with Vanessa Redgrave and Madeleine Potter forms the heart of the film’s ideological and romantic conflicts. Reeve’s Basil is like a 19th-century version of that guy who says “Well, actually…” at parties, but somehow makes it appealing.

Fun Fact: Reeve learned to ride sidesaddle for a scene in the film, adding another equestrian skill to his repertoire.

3. Rear Window (1998)

• Viewership: 22 million viewers on initial broadcast
• IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
• Notable Award: Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie
• Critical Reception: Widely praised for Reeve’s performance

In this made-for-TV remake of the Hitchcock classic, Reeve stars as Jason Kemp, an architect paralyzed from the neck down who becomes convinced he’s witnessed a murder. Shot four years after the horse-riding accident that left Reeve quadriplegic, this role was a triumphant return to acting that showcased his undimmed talent and determination.

Reeve’s performance is a masterclass in conveying emotion and tension with limited physical movement. He keeps us on the edge of our seats using just his voice and facial expressions, proving that true star power isn’t about physical agility but charisma and skill.

Fun Fact: Reeve insisted on using a manual wheelchair in the film, operating it by blowing into a straw, just as he did in real life.

2. The Remains of the Day (1993)

• Box Office: $64 million worldwide
• Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
• IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
• Letterboxd Rating: 4.1/5
• Odyssey Score: 8.5/10
• Notable Award: 8 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture

In this Merchant-Ivory masterpiece, Reeve plays Jack Lewis, an American congressman who purchases Darlington Hall. While his role is supporting, Reeve’s performance is crucial in highlighting the changing world that Anthony Hopkins’ buttoned-up butler struggles to navigate.

Reeve brings a breath of fresh air to the stuffy British setting, embodying the forward-thinking, democratic ideals that contrast sharply with the fading aristocratic world. His scenes with Hopkins crackle with tension, like two worlds colliding over a perfectly polished silver service.

Fun Fact: Reeve took dialect lessons to perfect his Mid-Atlantic accent for the role, proving he could hold his own among a predominantly British cast.

1. Somewhere in Time (1980)

• Box Office: $9.7 million domestic
• Rotten Tomatoes: 60%
• IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
• Letterboxd Rating: 3.6/5
• Odyssey Score: 6.7/10
• Notable Award: Saturn Award for Best Costume

Reeve time-travels straight into our hearts in this romantic drama that’s become a cult classic. He plays Richard Collier, a playwright who falls in love with a photograph of an actress from the past and uses self-hypnosis to travel back to 1912 to meet her. The film’s lush score and Mackinac Island setting create a dreamy atmosphere that’s as intoxicating as Reeve’s performance.

Reeve’s portrayal of a man out of time is both charming and heartbreaking. He brings a wide-eyed wonder to the role that makes us believe in the power of love across decades. It’s like “The Time Traveler’s Wife,” but with more mustaches and fewer paradoxes.

Fun Fact: Reeve learned to speak Hungarian for a pivotal scene in the movie, showcasing his dedication to authenticity in his performances.

These five films represent just a fraction of Reeve’s impressive body of work, but they offer a window into the soul of an actor who refused to be typecast. Whether playing a cunning playwright, a 19th-century lawyer, a determined crime-solver, an American idealist, or a lovestruck time traveler, Reeve brought a unique blend of charm, intensity, and vulnerability to each role. His legacy extends far beyond the cape and tights, showcasing an actor of remarkable range and depth who could soar far beyond the constraints of his superhero persona.