What would you do, in an Airbnb for you, where you thought you were alone, until a tennis ball did roam; then appears a little shell, puts you under his cute spell, seems he's been left and deserted, though he's charming and assertive; has the place all to himself, alongside Connie and her shelf, there was once a bigger throng, for unknown reasons they've all gone; so you start to record moves, capture chats and he approves, publish them for all to see, where they're gobbled up with glee; before you know it he's a star, people travel from afar, the search begins for family, does he find them - watch the movie.
An endearingly told tale about a shell called Marcel.
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
2021
Animation / Comedy / Drama / Family / Fantasy
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
2021
Animation / Comedy / Drama / Family / Fantasy
Plot summary
Marcel is an adorable, 1-inch-tall shell who ekes out a colorful existence with his grandmother, Connie, and their pet lint, Alan. Once part of a sprawling community of shells, they now live alone as the sole survivors of a mysterious tragedy. However, when a documentary filmmaker discovers them, the short film he posts online brings Marcel millions of passionate fans, as well as unprecedented dangers and a new hope of finding his long-lost family.
February 16, 2023 at 11:18 PM
Tech specs
720p.BLU 1080p.BLU 720p.WEB 1080p.WEB 2160p.WEBMovie Reviews
Marvellous Marcel Casts a Spell...
Remember Borat was an international hit
Seriously. Before you reach for that keypad and say anything unkind about Marcel (who has never said an unkind word about anyone, and generally keeps his opinions to himself), remember that our culture elevated BORAT to cult status back in 2006. So, if BORAT was great film-making, Marcel will need a new pair of shoes -- and probably a tux -- to accept his long-overdue Oscar. Even before this project got to the big screen (or small device used in place of a big screen) it was already an internet sensation for voice actress Jenny Slate. Jenny's tone and delivery are so delicately nuanced that it makes the award given to FINDING NEMO back in 2004 look like an accounting error. Words like DELIGHTFUL, CAPTIVATING, and UNIQUE don't do Marcel justice. I would ask the little guy to step up here and say a few words for himself, but right now I think he is trying to find a way to make bird sculptures from ice cream. Ever since the feature release, he doesn't sleep much. Or, if he does, he keeps one eye open. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167 Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
a lovable and witty mollusk
Greetings again from the darkness. For proof that social media and the internet can be used for good, I offer as evidence this film from writer-director Dean Fleisher-Camp and co-writers Elizabeth Holm, Nick Paley, and Jenny Slate. The first 'Marcel' short film hit the internet in 2010 and was such a hit that there were two follow-up short films and a best-selling picture book. Now expanded to a feature length film of 90 minutes, the innovative and curious premise holds up due to the fully-formed character of a precious one-googly-eyed mollusk shell wearing ... yes ... shoes.
Why do we connect with Marcel? Well, the instantly recognized voice created by Jenny Slate plays a huge part. There is a welcoming innocence in the wispy tone, and when combined with the exceptional writing, the result is a relatable character full of warmth and wit, and pain and humor. Marcel is naïve, yet persistent. He's someone we like and pull for. The story is told via faux-documentary as a filmmaker (played by director Fleisher-Camp) stays in the Airbnb where Marcel lives with his aging grandmother Connie (voiced by Isabella Rossellini). During interviews, we learn that Marcel longs for his family and community that was disrupted when the home's original owners broke up and moved out. Since then, Marcel has looked after his grandmother and helped her tend the garden. They have been quite creative in their use of household resources, including a tennis ball for transportation.
The filmmaker posts the interviews online and soon Marcel has a huge following, giving him hope that his family can be tracked down. This leads to a terrific "60 Minutes" segment with journalist Leslie Stahl. The best description I can offer of Marcel is adorable - not a word I use very often. Marcel forces us to view the world through a child's eye, but it's important to note, that while young children may find Marcel cute, the dialogue, wit, and life issues covered will be way over their heads (though not offensive in the least). Young kids (under 10) should probably stick to the shorts. The sad and painful context is balanced by sweetness and optimism. Marcel's story inspires us to embrace all stages of life with an open heart and mind - dealing with grief and sadness, while coming out the other side with spirit intact.
A24 specializes in distributing innovative and creative movies, and this certainly qualifies. It's not really a mockumentary because it's not mocking anything. The stop-motion approach in documentary style may initially seem like whimsy, but we quickly realize it's more substantive. Individual strength and the power of community are on full display, and somehow Marcel the Shell teaches us ... while wearing shoes.
Opens in theaters on July 8, 2022.
zzzzzzzzzzz
thanks freeman :)
I have to admit, I am not a fan of stop-motion. But this was absolutely freaking adorable, funny and relatable. The stop-motion is incredibly smooth. Very impressed, wonderful story, simple and poignant at the same time. Little Marcel has a big heart. A film for all ages. 10 stars.
thank you