Imagine you have the cutest little 3-year-old son around. He laughs, plays and acts silly just like any other toddler. In fact, just the other day he was running around the backyard with his daddy pretend fighting as Peter Pan and Captain Hook.
Now imagine your entire world comes crashing down around you. Your son, your precious little one… is gone.
No, he wasn’t kidnapped. Wasn’t killed. Didn’t run away.
Instead, he’s right there in front of you. Only it’s not him.
That’s exactly the nightmare that Ron and Cornelia Suskind were faced with when their son Owen suddenly stopped being Owen. It’s the subject of Ron’s New York Times bestselling book, and now an inspirational independent film named Life, Animated, from Academy Award-winning director Roger Ross Williams.
At the real young age of 3, Owen Suskind simply stopped talking and instead only spouted gibberish. Suddenly the Suskinds were given a crash course in autism.
This rollercoaster parenting ride has had plenty of ups and downs so far, but it’s also been filled with a tremendous amount of Pixie Dust. See, the true magic of this tale shines through when the family finally has a breakthrough with Owen. And it’s all thanks to the magical world of Disney.
Always a huge Disney animated film fan, Owen finally chips through his wall by learning to express himself through the fabulous characters (and voices) of Disney’s classic films. Aladdin. Little Mermaid. Bambi. Dumbo. Peter Pan. If you can name it, Owen’s probably memorized the whole film.
It’s an unbelievably touching and inspirational story that’s brought to life as Life, Animated. I just watched this one with my whole family and the only real Spoiler Warning I’ll give is that you better make sure you have a few boxes of tissues handy before you start!
The film is full of laughs, tears, some dark moments and some real high beautiful ones as well including a few surprising celebrity guest stars. It’s also full of animation throughout, both depicting Owen’s plight at times, as well as his own animated story that shines a beautiful light on what’s going on inside his autistic mind.
The bulk of the film is a live-action documentary style and it flips back and forth between old home movies of Owen as a child, with new footage of Owen in his early 20s, as he’s preparing to step out into the world for the first time on his own.
Life, Animated is now playing in select theaters throughout the country, with many more showings opening up over the next month or so. View the full screening list to find the closest theater near you.
How has Disney changed your family’s life?
Visit the official Life Animated website
#LifeAnimated #OwenSuskind
As a parent my heart goes out to the parents of Owen. This film sounds interesting and helpful as well as entertaining. I have a great grand daughter who would enjoy this.
This movie sounds really wonderful. A lot of families struggle with autism these days.
I would find this one interesting. The spectrum on autism is so vast, and sometimes very misunderstood. Its nice to see it being featured in a human way with compassion grace and by Disney. I would love to see this one.
This is fantastic! I love that it covers all emotions, and that it’s something kids will learn from.