Life, Animated

Name: Life, Animated
Genre: Drama, Romance, Animation, Family, Documentary
Released: July 1, 2016
Duration: 89 min
Rating: 75

2016

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 25 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 21 Ratings

See All

8.0

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

8.0	Your Score
8.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 21 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Life, Animated

Now Playing: Life, Animated

Movie Details & Credits

Orchard, The | Release Date: July 1, 2016 | PG

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 stepsLife, 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 steps toward independence.… Expand

Director: Roger Ross Williams

Genre(s): Drama, Romance, Animation, Family, Documentary

Rating: PG

Runtime: 89 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

The Guardian Lanre Bakare

Jun 17, 2016

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. Read full review

Justin Chang

Jun 17, 2016

This latest film from Roger Ross Williams (“God Loves Uganda”) teems with insights into how children’s fantasy can and can’t bridge a developmental gap, but works on an even more basic, emotional level as a warm testament to a family’s love and resilience. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Sheila O'Malley

Jul 1, 2016

Powerful and emotional, without being manipulative. It is deeply inspiring, without trying to be. It is honest about Owen's struggles, and the struggles of his family. Read full review

Time Out London Tom Huddleston

Dec 6, 2016

Overall this is a terrifically watchable, heartfelt documentary and a valuable glimpse into a singular life. Read full review

Peter Hartlaub

Jul 15, 2016

It wonderfully explains elements of life with autism, offering a primer for the uninitiated, while profiling a family that was rewarded for its willingness to approach an obstacle with patience and love. Read full review

David Edelstein

Jul 8, 2016

Owen is a hugely engaging screen presence. Read full review

Clayton Dillard

Jun 27, 2016

It never addresses Disney's wholly manufactured stranglehold on turning adolescent desire into a consumerist impulse. Read full review

SEE ALL 25 REVIEWS

Write a Review

Mixed:

User Reviews

alejandro970

Mar 20, 2017

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.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

LeZee

Feb 26, 2017

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 theWhere 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… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Brent_Marchant

Jul 20, 2016

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 tackleA 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.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

kathytreece

Jan 30, 2017

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.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Tyranian

Apr 11, 2019

Really good doco about disabled dude who loves animation. Quite moving at times.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Gamzguy17

Aug 21, 2021

A very modest and sometimes stylish look into one of many men who live and survive with their diagnosis. The film isn't the most overly engaging, but there's no denying the message that is being told through here.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 6 REVIEWS