Movie Review - Life, Animated

Life, Animated **** (out of 5) (PG) This documentary about the life of an autistic boy and his family is a marvel of clarity and humanity without ever yielding to the temptations of milking our emotions or preaching for the cause. Based on award-winning political writer Ron Suskind’s book about the journey shaped by his younger son’s condition starting at age three, the film is exceptional in both content and tone.

Owen was developing like any other toddler until he started shutting down verbally and socially. The diagnosis was neither immediate nor obvious. His only interest was Disney cartoons, which he’d watch constantly. Over time, that became the key to enter his world and start rebuilding communication and emotional connections for the parents and his older brother. We follow Owen from home videos of his early years, throughout his childhood and teens, as he eventually becomes a relatively independent young man.

Most of us know one or more people with some degree of autism. It can range from complete isolation to mild impairments of emotional engagement. This film is wonderfully informative on the complete ripple effects on the patients, their families and all who share time with them at school, leisure or work. There’s room for moments of humor, joy, sadness, compassion, admiration and inspiration in how everyone works to give Owen the best possible future that medical reality will allow. Most importantly is understanding that autism limits one’s ability to communicate or understand the world as others do, but intellectual abilities are not as affected, meaning we can all learn more from those with the condition than we might assume from appearances. And there’s hope for love, patience and insight to reward all involved with a more fulfilling shared life. (7/29/16)