75
Metascore
25 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 100The GuardianLanre BakareThe GuardianLanre BakareIt’s a beguiling mix of animated storytelling and narration that doesn’t flinch from exploring the emotional highs and lows that accompany a life with autism.
- 90The Hollywood ReporterDuane ByrgeThe Hollywood ReporterDuane ByrgeThe film is a documentary gem.
- 90VarietyJustin ChangVarietyJustin ChangThis latest film from Roger Ross Williams (“God Loves Uganda”) teems with insights into how children’s fantasy can and can’t bridge a developmental gap, but works on an even more basic, emotional level as a warm testament to a family’s love and resilience.
- 83The Film StageJohn FinkThe Film StageJohn FinkLife, Animated, like Owen, is optimistic and should provide a measure of comfort for the many families affected by a complex disorder – such stories are essential to share.
- 83The A.V. ClubNoel MurrayThe A.V. ClubNoel MurrayOn the list of Disney-related 2016 releases about child-rearing and handicaps, this one goes just above "Finding Dory." What it lacks in wacky hijinks, it makes up in hard truths.
- 80Village VoiceAlan ScherstuhlVillage VoiceAlan ScherstuhlLife,Animated is rich with insight about the role our popular culture plays in child development, but it's richer still in love.
- 75Entertainment WeeklyJoe McGovernEntertainment WeeklyJoe McGovernThe Suskinds’ humongous hearts are obviously in the right place and their openness is to be admired and encouraged — even if a book, more than a movie, remains the better venue to fairly and honestly tell Owen’s extraordinary story.
- 63New York PostKyle SmithNew York PostKyle SmithLife, Animated oversimplifies the situation, contriving to use endless clips from Disney movies to make a case that movie magic really can better people’s lives. Unfortunately, by the end of the movie it’s clear that Disney can’t help Owen negotiate sex, breakups or many other challenges he faces as an adult.
- 50The New York TimesJeannette CatsoulisThe New York TimesJeannette CatsoulisBelaboring the cartoon connection, the director leaves the family struggles that enrich Mr. Suskind’s 2014 book of the same title stubbornly veiled.
- 12Slant MagazineClayton DillardSlant MagazineClayton DillardIt never addresses Disney's wholly manufactured stranglehold on turning adolescent desire into a consumerist impulse.