Life Animated the Inspirational Story of Owen Suskind Movie Review
Based on Ron Suskind’s New York Times bestseller, Life, Animated tells 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.
What can I say about this story? I don’t think I have ever watched a movie that made me feel the way I did after it was over. My heart went out to Owen’s parents, and to Owen as well. But by the time it was over I will admit I didn’t ‘worry’ about them anymore.
Inspirational is such a small adjective to describe this movie. It made me realize that I have taken so many things for granted. My children’s health when they little was one I didn’t. I am really not sure why as it is obvious that kids get sick or end up with conditions that were not there at birth. I can’t imagine what Owen’s parents went through when he was little. But he has grown into a funny, loving wonderful man. He has such loving and supportive parents and brother who through Disney movies were able to start communicating with him.
You are sure to enjoy this documentary type movie. You can see where Disney movies entered into Owen’s life at a young age and how it helped his parents communicate with him on their own level.
Synopsis
From Academy Award® winning director Roger Ross Williams, 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 steps toward independence. The subject of his father Ron Suskind’s New York Times bestseller, Owen was a thriving three-year-old who suddenly and inexplicably went silent – and for years after remained unable to connect with other people or to convey his thoughts, feelings or desires.
Over time, through repeated viewings of Disney classics like THE LITTLE MERMAID and THE LION KING, Owen found useful tools to help him to understand complex social cues and to re-connect with the world around him.
LIFE, ANIMATED evocatively interweaves classic Disney sequences with verite scenes from Owen’s life in order to explore how his identification and empathy for characters like Simba, Jafar, and Ariel gave him a means to understand his feelings and allowed him to interpret reality. Beautiful, original animations offer rich insights into Owen’s fruitful dialogue with the Disney oeuvre as he imagines himself heroically facing adversity as a member in a tribe of sidekicks.
Owen’s story is a moving testament to the many ways in which stories can serve as a means of persevering through the dark times, leading us all toward the light.
Directed & Produced by ROGER ROSS WILLIAMS
Produced by JULIE GOLDMAN
Edited By DAVID TEAGUE
Executive Producers MOLLY THOMPSON, ROBERT DEBITETTO, ROBERT SHARENOW
Cinematography by TOM BERGMANN
Co-Producers CAROLYN HEPBURN, CHRISTOPHER CLEMENTS
Original Music by DYLAN STARK, T. GRIFFIN
Score Produced by T. GRIFFIN
Executive Producer RON SUSKIND
Associate Producer LINDSAY RICHARDSON
Production Coordinator SEAN LYNESS
Original Animation MAC GUFF
Title Sequence and Graphics TROLLBÄCK + COMPANY
To see where the movie is showing you can see the dates and places here.
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