'Life, Animated' A Review

Life, Animated is a documentary about Owen Suskind a young man with autism who developed an affinity with Disney films which allowed him to communicate with and move through the world. The film is a series of home video footage from the Suskind's, talking head interviews, and footage of Owen as he graduates school and moves into his own apartment.

A poignant and moving story about a family faced with adversity adapting and discovering a new language through Disney movies in order to relate and process the fast and sometimes confusing world. Owen's story is laid out with particular interest paid to how they made the first initial break through and to his present(in the film) going from a relatively controlled school environment to living on his own. Anyone unfamiliar with the story will be bowled over as it is incredibly powerful. However at this point in time many variations of Owen's story have already been told, as inspiring as it is, through a Radiolab episode, Ron Suskind's book of the same name, and numerous public appearances and speaking engagements by Owen. That doesn't mean if you're familiar with his story it lacks impact, the film allows his parents and brother to talk directly to you about the experience, we travel with Owen as he navigates his life, he directly addresses us(the audience) repeatedly in remarkably candid exchanges. We are privileged with some very complicated and intimate moments with the family.

And yet there is a sense that the next chapter in Owen's life is just beginning and we only get the smallest glimpse of what that will be. There is a feeling that the film is incomplete, ending right at the start of Owen's biggest challenge. But structuring it in this way also leaves you with a sense of hope. That although perhaps the road may be tough, Owen will endure, that we too should trust him to go on alone.

Heart warming and heart breaking. An inspiring tale of human perseverance and love.

See It.