Movie Review
Siddharth Martis
3.5 / 5
Life, Animated is a documentary directed by Roger Ross Williams. It surrounds the lives of the Suskind family as they use Disney animated movies to help their autistic son, Owen develop his reading, writing and communication skills.
At the press screening, I attended yesterday, I was afforded the opportunity to speak with director Roger Ross Williams, about why he adopted this story. He stated, “I’ve known the Suskinds for 15 years now, and I wanted to allow their son’s determination to inspire moviegoers as he has inspired me.” Hitting the mark with tremendous force, Williams crafts the touching and quite often exhilarating, Life, Animated.
This came as a shock to me as I am not a big fan of the documentary genre. A documentary, to me, is like watching an autopsy. It can be revealing, skillfully done, and very accurate in its dissection of its subject, but more often than not it's as lifeless as the body on the chopping block.
This proves to be far from the case with Life, Animated as it lives up to its title and is truly a celebration of life. Naturally funny and exceptionally heartfelt, Life, Animated, paints a highly detailed portrait of autism, in both a figurative and literal sense. I sat in my seat, in blissful awe at the intricate mix of real life footage and beautiful minimalistic hand drawn animation, that when combined make the experience almost surreal.
This blend of live action and animation also manages to draw comparisons between Disney characters and Owen, in turn providing the audience a look into his mind. Though this symbolism and juxtapose gets overwrought and heavy-handed on occasion, the sheer likability of Owen overpowers these speed bumps.
Life, Animated is a passionate effort from director Roger Ross Williams that is a reinvigorating treat for fans of documentaries.
I’m Siddharth Martis and I am proud to be a part of Movie Insider. Are you excited to see Life, Animated? Tell me in the comment section below.
At the press screening, I attended yesterday, I was afforded the opportunity to speak with director Roger Ross Williams, about why he adopted this story. He stated, “I’ve known the Suskinds for 15 years now, and I wanted to allow their son’s determination to inspire moviegoers as he has inspired me.” Hitting the mark with tremendous force, Williams crafts the touching and quite often exhilarating, Life, Animated.
This came as a shock to me as I am not a big fan of the documentary genre. A documentary, to me, is like watching an autopsy. It can be revealing, skillfully done, and very accurate in its dissection of its subject, but more often than not it's as lifeless as the body on the chopping block.
This proves to be far from the case with Life, Animated as it lives up to its title and is truly a celebration of life. Naturally funny and exceptionally heartfelt, Life, Animated, paints a highly detailed portrait of autism, in both a figurative and literal sense. I sat in my seat, in blissful awe at the intricate mix of real life footage and beautiful minimalistic hand drawn animation, that when combined make the experience almost surreal.
This blend of live action and animation also manages to draw comparisons between Disney characters and Owen, in turn providing the audience a look into his mind. Though this symbolism and juxtapose gets overwrought and heavy-handed on occasion, the sheer likability of Owen overpowers these speed bumps.
Life, Animated is a passionate effort from director Roger Ross Williams that is a reinvigorating treat for fans of documentaries.
I’m Siddharth Martis and I am proud to be a part of Movie Insider. Are you excited to see Life, Animated? Tell me in the comment section below.