Life, Animated

Life, Animated is a deeply moving 2016 documentary that offers a truly unique view into the life of Owen Suskind, a young man with autism. Directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Roger Ross Williams, the film intriguingly narrates how Walt Disney movies provided a pathway for Owen to understand, communicate with, and navigate the world, overcoming the hurdles of his condition. The film is based on the best-selling book of the same name, penned by Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and Owen's father, Ron Suskind.

The film begins with a glimpse of Owen's life as a typical child until he reaches the age of three when he's diagnosed with autism. After the diagnosis, Owen retreats into a silent, isolated world, leaving his parents and older brother in a nightmarish state of despair. The world seems cryptic to him, but he seeks solace and comfort in the magical realm of Disney's animated movies. They act as a surrogate for speech, enabling him to interpret and make sense of the complex mix of emotions, actions, and interactions of daily life.

Life, Animated brilliantly communicates Owen's story through an eclectic mix of media, elegantly combining home video footage, interviews with family members, flights into Owen's colorful imagination via beautiful animated sequences, and present-day footage. This integration of animation with real-life footage illustrates the transformative power of these beautifully layered and compelling narratives, demonstrating how Disney's iconic characters helped Owen to grapple with life.

Owen's parents, Ron and Cornelia, and his older brother, Walt, also feature prominently in the film. It’s clear that they have played a critical role in Owen's development, shaping his understanding of the world, being patient and loving despite the challenges they faced. Their interviews fill the audience with admiration as they offer insights into their struggles, resilience, and resourceful use of animation to connect with Owen.

The animated sequences in this film are particularly noteworthy. Hailing from the Philippine animation house, Mac Guff, the animations provide a visually gripping representation of what’s going on in Owen’s mind. It features Owen's imagined character, "The Protector of Sidekicks," the hero of his self-authored stories. This clever ploy reflects Owen's identification with Disney's sidekick characters, often overlooked but heroic in their own rights, much like Owen himself in real life.

The film spirals forward as Owen, now in his early 20s, takes the critical steps towards independence in the face of daunting adult responsibilities. We get to see his triumphs and pitfalls as he begins to settle into an independent living program. One of the most moving aspects of Life, Animated is, indeed, seeing Owen's journey into adulthood and the challenges it presents.

However, Life, Animated is not only about how animation became Owen's vehicle for communication but also a story of a family’s indefatigable efforts to break into Owen's isolated world and help him conquer his fears and apprehensions. It’s a broad journey that highlights the universal themes of love, resilience, and the deep human longing for connection. The film succeeds in offering the audience a glimpse into the experiences of a person with autism and the people who surround and support them.

There’s a deep level of empathy, respect, and love for Owen and his family that permeates every frame of the film. Roger Ross Williams skilfully challenges preconceived notions about autism, offering an intimate portrait of a vibrant mind that's torn between a magical animated world and a complex real one, while also craftily negotiating the simultaneous joy and heartbreak that comes with parenthood, especially with a special-needs child.

Life, Animated, rife with emotional depth, is more than just a superb piece of cinema and storytelling. It's an informative and important work that not only increases the visibility and understanding of individuals with autism but also constructs a heartening testament to the power of art and media. Through the evocatively beautiful form of animation, the film draws audiences into the rich internal world of an extraordinary young man.