X
- 2016
- PG
- 1091 Pictures
- 1 h 32 m
- 2016
- PG
- 1091 Pictures
- 1 h 32 m
Summary Life, Animated is the inspirational story of Owen Suskind, a young man who was unable to speak as a child until he and his family discovered a unique way to communicate by immersing themselves in the world of classic Disney animated films. This emotional coming-of-age story follows Owen as he graduates to adulthood and takes his first st...
Directed By: Roger Ross Williams
- 2016
- PG
- 1091 Pictures
- 1 h 32 m
- 2016
- PG
- 1091 Pictures
- 1 h 32 m
Life, Animated
75
8.0
Where to Watch
Summary Life, Animated is the inspirational story of Owen Suskind, a young man who was unable to speak as a child until he and his family discovered a unique way to communicate by immersing themselves in the world of classic Disney animated films. This emotional coming-of-age story follows Owen as he graduates to adulthood and takes his first st...
Directed By: Roger Ross Williams
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 25 Critic Reviews
75
84% Positive
21 Reviews
21 Reviews
12% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
4% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 25 Critic Reviews
75
84% Positive
21 Reviews
21 Reviews
12% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
4% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
It’s a beguiling mix of animated storytelling and narration that doesn’t flinch from exploring the emotional highs and lows that accompany a life with autism.
The film is a documentary gem.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 21 User Ratings
8.0
95% Positive
20 Ratings
20 Ratings
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
5% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 21 User Ratings
8.0
95% Positive
20 Ratings
20 Ratings
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
5% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
One of best documentaries of year. The inspiring one man struggle against the autism with the help of animation. Pay attention particularly for the terrific hand made animated sequences.
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Where the sidekicks rules...
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
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What the film is ultimately about is the extent to which love and caring can help turn a life around for a person deemed beyond reach.
Overall this is a terrifically watchable, heartfelt documentary and a valuable glimpse into a singular life.
Life, Animated may be the best commercial Disney could ask for, but that’s only a side effect. The purity of Owen’s relationship to the material transforms it into something more powerful than the company itself could ever accomplish.
Life, Animated oversimplifies the situation, contriving to use endless clips from Disney movies to make a case that movie magic really can better people’s lives. Unfortunately, by the end of the movie it’s clear that Disney can’t help Owen negotiate sex, breakups or many other challenges he faces as an adult.
It never addresses Disney's wholly manufactured stranglehold on turning adolescent desire into a consumerist impulse.
Enjoyed this show on Amazon Prime after learning it is a nominee for 2016 Best Documentary. This creative young man is a hero, along with his caregiver family.
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A candid, intimate and engaging chronicle of an inspiring young man challenged to find a way to reconnect with the world at a time when all seemed lost. This enlightening and informative documentary will change your mind about what's feasible, shedding light on inventive ways to tackle problems that are seemingly unsolvable. With an acute eye toward avoiding sentimentality, "Life, Animated" keeps things real and does so with integrity and a great sense of style. A highly recommended offering for those looking to see possibilities where none are thought to exist.
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Production Company
A&E IndieFilms,
Motto Pictures,
Roger Ross Williams Productions
Release Date Jul 1, 2016
Duration 1 h 32 m
Rating PG
Tagline His imagination unlocked an amazing new world
Website
http://www.lifeanimateddoc.com/
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Nomination
Critics' Choice Documentary Awards
• 1 Win & 4 Nominations
News & Documentary Emmy Awards
• 3 Wins & 3 Nominations
