Life, Animated
Orchard, The | Release Date: July 1, 2016 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
75
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 25 Critic Reviews
Positive:
21
Mixed:
3
Negative:
1
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
The GuardianLanre BakareJun 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
91
ConsequenceDominick Suzanne-MayerJul 7, 2016
It’s a warmly empathetic documentary, the kind that simply observes instead of attempting to sound one kind of rallying cry or another. Read full review
90
Los Angeles TimesKenneth TuranJun 30, 2016
[Williams] spent two years on this project, and the trust everyone involved placed in him allowed for an emotional honesty that is Life, Animated's greatest strength. Read full review
90
VarietyJustin ChangJun 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
90
The Hollywood ReporterDuane ByrgeJun 17, 2016
The film is a documentary gem. Read full review
89
Austin ChronicleKimberley JonesJul 20, 2016
Owen’s story is unique, and deserving of singling out. Read full review
88
RogerEbert.comSheila O'MalleyJul 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
88
Rolling StonePeter TraversJul 1, 2016
In no way does Owen's story claim to be a cure-all. Instead of false hope, it offers up possibility, the chance of a stimulus that might get past the blocks of developmental disorder. That's more than encouraging. Life, Animated is truly inspirational. Read full review
83
Christian Science MonitorPeter RainerJul 8, 2016
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. Read full review
83
The A.V. ClubNoel MurrayJun 29, 2016
On the list of Disney-related 2016 releases about child-rearing and handicaps, this one goes just above "Finding Dory." What it lacks in wacky hijinks, it makes up in hard truths. Read full review
83
The Film StageJohn FinkJun 17, 2016
Life, Animated, like Owen, is optimistic and should provide a measure of comfort for the many families affected by a complex disorder – such stories are essential to share. Read full review
80
Total FilmNeil SmithDec 22, 2016
Best of all...is the mini-animation fashioned out of Suskind’s Walt-inspired scribblings. Read full review
80
Time Out LondonTom HuddlestonDec 6, 2016
Overall this is a terrifically watchable, heartfelt documentary and a valuable glimpse into a singular life. Read full review
80
Village VoiceAlan ScherstuhlJun 30, 2016
Life,Animated is rich with insight about the role our popular culture plays in child development, but it's richer still in love. Read full review
75
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Ellen BraitJul 21, 2016
It manages to be heartwarming and heartbreaking all at once. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChroniclePeter HartlaubJul 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
75
IndieWireEric KohnJul 7, 2016
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. Read full review
75
Entertainment WeeklyJoe McGovernJun 30, 2016
The Suskinds’ humongous hearts are obviously in the right place and their openness is to be admired and encouraged — even if a book, more than a movie, remains the better venue to fairly and honestly tell Owen’s extraordinary story. Read full review
70
New York Magazine (Vulture)David EdelsteinJul 8, 2016
Owen is a hugely engaging screen presence. Read full review
63
Washington PostAnn HornadayJul 7, 2016
Life, Animated makes fascinating points, about the power of cinema, about meeting our loved ones where they are and, as Ron says, about who gets to decide what constitutes a meaningful life. Read full review
63
New York PostKyle SmithJun 30, 2016
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. Read full review
60
EmpireDavid ParkinsonDec 12, 2016
A touch twee at times, but the use of classic and original animation is admirable, while Owen emerges as the king of sidekicks. Read full review
60
The New YorkerAnthony LaneJul 4, 2016
Owen has made immense progress, to which Life, Animated is a stirring tribute, yet it leaves a trail of questions unanswered or unasked. Read full review
50
The New York TimesJeannette CatsoulisJun 30, 2016
Belaboring the cartoon connection, the director leaves the family struggles that enrich Mr. Suskind’s 2014 book of the same title stubbornly veiled. Read full review
12
Slant MagazineClayton DillardJun 27, 2016
It never addresses Disney's wholly manufactured stranglehold on turning adolescent desire into a consumerist impulse. Read full review
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