Life, Animated

source: Life, Animated

There are a lot of different ways to review this, and with a number of friends with children on the spectrum, I'm curious to get their take on it. (And enjoyed reading reviews from such folks here as well). As a parent myself, I'd want something....anything...that fed optimism, so this film would be like a vitamin. Generally the notions of "we are getting older, how will our kid(s) survive" hits everyone, but surely more so for those with autism. Anyways, the film surely moved me. How to communicate with kids can be challenging in all cases, but when they are seemingly incommunicative, it becomes imperative. So the way the film sets up the early transition for Owen into his overwhelmed state, and then finding the Disney connection was exhilarating. It strangely reminded me of machine learning, the way Owen used a select set of Disney films to communicate heartbreak and fear and bullying. The power of sidekicks was wistfully beautiful. Elements of a detective story in unravelling Owen's thoughts. The opportunities that the Suskinds had surely are not matched by all families. The scenes at the housing site were fascinating, even if it's a little hard to get past the camera, i.e. our eyes being so intrusive. Making a film out of Owen's sketches, and the speech in France...these are amazing gifts. Nothing compared to the gift of love. Mild spoiler : Gilbert Gottfried's best work!

Documentaries are not typically my first choice when choosing what to watch. However, this documentary peaked my interest because of what it is about - an Autistic boy who uses Disney movies to help him face the 'real world'. This documentary gives you an up close and personal look at Autism; a disorder that is often hard to understand. Owen, the main protagonist, was diagnosed with Autism at three years old when he suddenly shut down and stopped talking to those around him. He didn't start communicating with those around him again until his family discovered his love of Disney animated movies. It was through these movies that Owen was able to face the 'real world' and connect with those around him (even meeting two of the actors from Aladdin). This is because these animated films are things they remain constant and never changing in his life; when everything else was changing. Throughout the documentary, we get to watch him experience things that everyone experiences - graduating from school, moving into his first apartment, and dealing with his first heartbreak. Autism is usually associated with the obsession of something they find interesting. Some people see this as a negative thing - that they'll never be able to talk or learn about anything else. However, 'Life, Animated', makes people see that this behavior can be positive. Owen's love for Disney helps him cope with the real world and all the changes that the world brings. You really see this in the film with the use of the Disney clips that they show and how they match to what Owen is going through and feeling. Overall, I think that this documentary was beautifully made. The use of Disney clips mixed with home videos help to show Owen's improvement throughout his life. When you see where he was and where he is now, you almost feel like you've been there beside him this whole time. This documentary shows just how powerful the magic of cinema can truly be.

This is a pretty straight-forward documentary: it focuses on documenting rather than lurking around their subject long enough to find an entertaining narrative. What we get is a touching portrait of a young man trying to live independently and of a family grappling with obligation, responsibility, and love.

The movie, Life, Animated, directed by Roger Ross Williams tells the story of a boy named Owen Suskind who was diagnosed with autism at 3 years old. The movie, which is based off of the book with the same name by Ron Suskind, follows the family as they go through the hardships regarding Owen's diagnosis that involved his sudden loss of speech. His parents were heart-broken upon hearing the news, especially with it being the 1990's where the autism spectrum was not introduced yet. As Owen withdrew from the world his parents described his diagnosis with autism as him "vanishing." The family saw a glimmer of hope when they discovered that he was able to communicate using classic Disney animated movies, which he loved watching with his brother even before his diagnosis. He used the stories from Disney movies to understand and connect with the world. He began using scenes from the movie to express his feelings and was able to learn how to read with the help of his family. The movie goes back and forth from his childhood into the present day where Owen is a young adult getting ready to move out and begin living independently in an apartment for adults with special needs. As he is going through a big transition, Owen uncovers that some aspects of growing up including dating and breakups cannot be explained by Disney movies. With the support of his family and therapists they show Owen preparing for the future and confronting the typical problems faced by young adults. I appreciated that the film showcased a heartwarming story of an individual using his passions to make sense of his world but did not stray away from showing an honest depiction of the struggles that he continued to face as he navigated adulthood.

I love Disney when I was a a kid this documentary inspired me to understand that we can loved the most joy of all we know to Disney but I am autistic that I had difficult times learning who am I.

If one were to seek evidence on the powerful impact films can have on people's lives, then Roger Ross Williams documentary Life, Animated would be the perfect start. A lovingly crafted look at the life of 23 year old Owen Suskind, who at a young age was diagnosed with autism and subsequently went on a quiet lonely path where he no longer communicated with his family or engaged in everyday life, only to have found solace and in many ways saving in the forms of animated Disney films, Life, Animated is an insightful look into not only those affected with Autism but the power that films can enact upon those that fall under their spell. Utilising a vast array of Disney footage alongside some beautifully drawn original imagery to express Owen's past, future and dreams as well as an abundance of heart-warming moments with Owen and his loving family, Ross Williams has a clear affection for the story his telling and it comes across in every aspect of this Oscar nominated documentary. It certainly helps Ross Williams cause that Owen is such a fascinating subject matter (Owen's candidness when talking about his life and condition is truly captivating) and it's a joy watching Owen's growth from a struggling adolescent, to a young adult looking to try and make the best with what his been given and the way in which these films that hold such a dear place in his heart express Owen's otherwise hidden feelings is eye-opening in many ways. Whether it's hearing Owen himself or his mother Cornelia, father Ron or loving older brother Walter talk about these films and their part in Owen's growth, Life, Animated remains constantly engaging throughout as we're allowed access into the inner sanctum of this once in a life time human being's journey to the next stage of his life. Not without the odd sprinkling of heartbreak, Life, Animated is a mostly joyous documentary that will be enjoyed by those of all ages and Ross Williams insightful examination of various touchy subject matters should be commended, while Disney will likely be thankful that this unofficial plug for their wondrous animations is such a champion for their years of outstanding work in telling important stories in a way that's at once magical and life like in equal doses. 4 Disney fan clubs out of 5

f you want a life-affirming, joy-filled and moving lift you could do a lot worse than search this movie out. (I found it on Netflix). It's a lovely documentary film telling the story of a young autistic man who has learned to express his feelings and experiences through Disney animated films. It takes a light touch, mostly allowing the man and his family to speak and tell the story entirely in their own words - including how, as a young child, after months and months of silence, he found his voice through learning and repeating lines from the films. It's a great watch, heart-warming without ever being patronising. Seek it out

This is life and it is animated. We all grew up watching animations believed they are real. They are our first friends and also the first step to understand between the real and unreal. So what happens if you have never got as far as to know they are simply the fictional characters. This film is not about that, but there's a reason to I bring that up in here. This film is about a boy named Owen Suskind, who developed autism at the age of 3. Since then the journey of his life has been very hard, especially for his family who had tried to understand and find a solution for it. But until at one stage of his childhood, after years of observation, they have found a way to connect with their lost son in his own world as the way he desired to meet/accept them at last. It was not the permanent cure they have been looking for, but it enabled an access to what so far we had struggled to make that kind of progress. All we common people know is that autistic people are sensitive, but genius or mastered in one particular thing they love the most. There's a pattern, and we have to jump in onto it to clear the way to bring both the worlds together. This had been done in the past, so in the present, but this film gives a new perspective to learn new methods. This is not some medical achievement, but the desperate Owen's family found a way. That's a lovely family, they never gave up on him. His big brother as well, trying to teach the grownup's form of love was honest and realistic. Beyond that, his plan for their future together, which eventually one day would come. I know that some of the scenes were recreated from the Owen's life, just for this documentary film. Particularly, I was impressed by the romance parts which reminded me 'Gabrielle'. But hearbreaking at certain satge. ❝I created a story about sidekicks searching for a hero in my head, and I called it 'The Land of the Lost Sidekicks'.❞ I don't know who did the animation for this, but I loved it all. They used them to narrate the tale very beautifully. There are many fans in the world who love the sidekicks from their favourite films/animations. Even sometimes, I love them more than the film's heroes. If you do as well, try this, but this film is not about them and they were mostly the blurred animation version. Or you can say, except the film clips, the remaining original animations were simple sketch and acceptable quality. In reality, I don't know the whole life story of Owen, but according to this film, what I learnt, I truly admire his father Ron. He's lucky to have such a father. This film was based on the book he wrote of the same name. And the whole family's effort given a new life to Owen. This film is nominated for the Oscars in the Best Documentary Feature list. But I'm not sure it'll win. Anyway a big thanks to the filmmakers to bring this up. I know Disney is aware of this film since they allowed their contents to use in it. They can make a feature film out of it, a neat biopic. That would be a great honour for such a big fan of their works. But I'm particularly interested in the Owen's vision about his 'The Land of the Lost Sidekicks'. It's nothing less than the Marvel's 'The Avengers', but for the kids and for the fans of Disney's 2D animations like me from the pre 2000. This film is not under-appreciated, but under-recognised as of now. So I hope you put this into your watch list. It is a good family film, a message in it. We're surrounded by all kinds of people, so it does not matter if the film is not for us, at least you will learn something out of it. That's the any documentary film's notion, as always. You might have seen films about autism like 'Rain Man' to 'I Am Sam' to many more and this one is real as most of them are. Definitely worth giving it a try. 8/10

What a wonderful film. So inspiring. Really, there are layers of messages here for all of us. The impact and importance of great parenting jumps right out at me for a start. I won't go into much of it, bottom line- watch this film from beginning to end. It will stick with you. I would love to encourage parents to watch this with their young teenage children. There are a number of subjects that could be opened up for discussion from this film. Small spoiler- besides the obvious topics of valuing others as they are and embracing change- there is a big opportunity is to discuss with young people that disappointment often comes after first love. The majority of people do not spend their lives with their first love. Owen's journey can bring some light to the idea that although everyday situations are even more challenging for him, he comes out on the other side stronger; still with a smile on his face and the will to grow and succeed. Very heartwarming. I do see this film as a lovely gift. It is not just for kids, adults will enjoy it too. Thank you for sharing your story.