Owen Suskind has discovered a world of wonder, delight, and security in animated Disney films such as Peter Pan, Aladdin, and The Little Mermaid. These stories spurred this autistic young man to speak and later to develop his artistic gifts under the loving care and patient presence of his parents Ron and Cornelia Suskind and his older brother Walter.
At the age of 3, Owen suddenly became silent. His father observes: "It's like we were looking for clues to a kidnapping." Therapy sessions and testing led to a diagnosis of autism but no help in reaching the boy. Then, one day, his parents discovered that Owen, who loved Disney animated movies, was communicating with them using movie dialogue. He was especially attracted to Sidekick characters. As he got older, they became the subjects of his drawings and stories. The movies not only help him communicate; they express his understanding of purpose and meaning in the world.
Life, Animated is an edifying documentary directed by Roger Ross Williams (God Loves Uganda) based on the 2014 family memoir by the Pulitzer Prize-winning political journalist Ron Suskind. Today at 25, Owen resides in assisted living apartment and enjoys the benefits of a lovely environment and the continuing support and encouragement of family and friends. When his girlfriend takes an apartment upstairs from him, Owen is ecstatic about the possibilities. But when she bows out of their relationship, he is shattered. His spirits are lifted when he is asked to give a speech in France about his life as an autistic young man.
Life, Animated gives us a rounded and informative picture of this hero's journey.