Life, Animated: A Story Of Sidekicks, Heroes, And Autism

In 2014, Ron Suskind published a memoir – Life, Animated: A Story Of Sidekicks, Heroes, And Autism. The book recounted the story of his son, Owen, who at age 3 developed autism and was rendered speechless and emotionally remote. After years of therapy and exhaustive effort from his parents, Owen showed no sign that he would ever emerge from his secluded world. Then, one day, he spontaneously said a complete, insightful, articulate sentence, relating a real life situation to the central theme of the Disney cartoon, Peter Pan. It was an epiphany.

Roger Ross Williams’ documentary film is an inventive and moving adaptation of Suskind’s book. Splicing together interviews, family videos, excerpts from Disney cartoons and original animation sequences, Williams has created a movie that evokes tears, laughter and wonder.

Owen Suskind and many of his autistic friends are prominently featured in a way that evinces compassion, curiosity, admiration and enlightenment without ever being patronising.

It’s an incredible story, creatively told that will leave you feeling and thinking deeply. (RB)

★★★

BY RITA BRATOVICH