‘I Lost My Body’ is hands down one of the year’s more innovative films — Oscars spotlight review

In I Lost My Body, a hand separated from its owner after a tragic accident tries to make its way back home.

Quick review: I Lost My Body has an extremely absurd premise but thanks to some powerful storytelling, it turns out to be one of the most reflective perspectives on life I’ve ever seen — hopefully, the Academy agrees.

Where to watch I Lost My Body: Streaming on Netflix.

See the rest of Jane’s 2020 Oscar spotlight series here.

Of all of the Oscar-nominated animated films this year, none were quite as innovative or inventive as I Lost My Body. It throws away all of your preconceived notions about narrative structure and constructs a story entirely built on sensory details and how crucial the senses play a part in your life’s story. I Lost My Body is a film that’s meant to stick with you long after the end credits roll. It’s one of the finest animated offerings of 2019 and my preferred choice as the winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

The film plays out like a fever dream of some sort. A hand separated from its owner after a tragic accident tries to make its way back home. During the journey, we are introduced to the body of this owner in a series of flashbacks detailing who this hand belongs to. Turns out the body belongs to a young man (Hakim Faris) who lives aimlessly through life after the untimely death of his parents. But things start to look up after a chance encounter with a kind young woman (Victoire Du Bois) who takes the time to actually acknowledge him. The film then switches back on both narratives until the two storylines line up in a satisfying and heartbreaking conclusion that might make you shed a tear or two by the end.

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The film takes full advantage of its eccentric premise by giving the separated hand a vibrant personality thanks to some impressive animation. The stakes have never been higher living in the city of Paris through the experiences of a hand dealing with hungry rats, bustling highways and towering buildings. You see the hand feel vicious rage when dealing with a pigeon but also gentleness towards a newborn, which shows you how essential body language is a powerful showcase in showing how you connect to others and the world.

At a brisk 80 minute runtime, I Lost My Body is a sensory experience that reflects on the power of touch and sound. It’s a connection of the body and soul, it’s one of a kind. It lingers with you and makes a strong case as not only the best animated film but one of the best pictures of the year.

Random thoughts ?

• I have read multiple reviews that claim one of the major critiques of the film is the contrived love story. But I very much enjoyed it. She’s not there for a throwaway love interest or treated as a manic pixie girl. She feels real and that’s important in a film that’s all about feeling your way through life.
• I hope we get to see more work soon from director Jérémy Clapin. Anyone have an idea of what his next project will be?
• Probability of winning an Oscar: Lukewarm. Believe me, I would love nothing more than this film to bring home the gold. It did have a promising start, winning the Nespresso Grand Prize at Cannes and becoming the first animated film to do so. But the Academy isn’t made up of critics like the Nespresso jury is. It didn’t even make the Golden Globes shortlist for Best Animated Feature. The Academy has a pattern of picking animated films that have a wide range of appeal, especially toward family entertainment rather than indie arthouse darlings. Maybe this is the year the Academy feels differently?

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