Connect with us
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
Image Courtesy of Elevation Pictures

Film

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is an Endearing, Sincere Adventure

Dean Fleischer-Camp’s Marcel the Shell with Shoes On follows one small shell’s journey to reunite his community.

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On Review

Undeniably charming and cute, it’s difficult to muster up anything negative to say about the adorable world crafted by writer/director Dean Fleischer-Camp and co-writer Jenny Slate in Marcel the Shell With Shoes On. Based on the short film of the same name, Slate reprises her role as Marcel and expands greatly on the premise to deliver a heartwarming tale of courage and persistence in the face of great odds. Though its quirk may leave some distance to its charms, Marcel the Shell With Shoes On does an excellent job walking a tightrope of melancholy and perseverance with a smile on its face.

A tiny talking shell that lives in an Airbnb with his grandmother, Nanna Connie (Isabella Rossellini), Marcel quickly captures the attention of Dean (played by Dean Fleischer-Camp), a recently-divorced filmmaker who moves into the same Airbnb. Filming Marcel’s day-to-day routines in an attempt to survive in a world so much bigger than himself, Dean’s documentary soon takes a turn from idle filming to proactive research as he helps Marcel find the family he once lived with before they disappeared.

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
Image Courtesy of Elevation Pictures

However, it’s a challenge that is daunting at first for both Dean and Marcel. Dean finds himself unable to really open up, pointing his camera at Marcel to ask questions but reluctant to answer any questions pointed back at him. Meanwhile, Marcel acts as caretaker to his grandmother while trying to keep the two of them safe from harm. As shells, they’re not exactly built for a world that’s significantly bigger than them, and that breeds a sense of fear in Marcel that will require help to overcome.

This is where Marcel the Shell With Shoes On finds its charm. Not content on simply being a story of an adorable shell on the search for his family, Fleischer-Camp, Slate, and co-writer Nick Paley bring the documentarian into that search and focus on the ability to overcome obstacles seemingly too large just by communicating and forging relationships. As the film proceeds, Marcel is not just a subject to Dean – he’s a friend. As cute as it sounds, it serves up more than it initially suggests by the time the credits roll and the film’s sense of community engulf it. 

The internet also becomes a significant component of Marcel’s journey, live streaming via TikTok and YouTube to try and gain traction in his research. By introducing social media to Marcel’s quest, Dean and Marcel are not the only participants in the film – it often feels like the events are unfolding in real-time with the audience also being included. It’s the benefit of the mockumentary style and the use of stop-motion animation for Marcel and Connie while keeping the rest of the film live-action. There’s whimsy and immersion at the same time.

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
Image Courtesy of Elevation Pictures

It’s that balancing act that lets Marcel the Shell With Shoes On get away with leaning into its quirky universe. Slate’s performance effectively conveys the emotional current running through the film, but it’s the humor and DIY nature of Marcel’s survival tactics that keep things light. Surprisingly this doesn’t result in a distance from the emotional moments, instead playing up the camaraderie between Marcel and those his courage and strength infect, leaving the audience sharing the same headspace.

That levity might lessen the impact of Marcel’s journey for some and the way the film ends is ultimately lackluster as a result of trying to strip itself of too much emotional baggage, but Marcel the Shell With Shoes On rarely misses its mark. An encouraging and endearing adventure that is both playful and sentimental at the same time, Fleischer-Camp’s efforts to create a wholesome film about community feels effortlessly realized. The way it presents itself is earnest with few films coming close to touching its genuine and sincere nature.

Written By

Chris is a graduate of Communications from Simon Fraser University and resides in Victoria, British Columbia. Given a pint, he will talk for days about action films, video games, and the works of John Carpenter.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Facebook

Trending

Carter Reum Net Worth: From Entrepreneur to Philanthropist

Celebrity

Montel Williams Sets The Record Straight Amid Kamala Harris Sex Tape Allegations

News

Russell Simmons’s Alleged Rape Victim Accuses Him Of Fleeing To Bali

Celebrity

Grammy Nominations 2025: Beyonce Leads With 11 Nods as Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX Are Among Top Nominees

News

Lil Wayne Dragged Into Family Conflict Over His Daughter Reginae & Her Mother’s Brother

Celebrity

Azealia Banks Expresses Pity Over Kim Kardashian’s Intimate Photoshoot With A Tesla Robot

Celebrity

Lamar Jackson Net Worth: How He Became NFLs Richest QB

Celebrity

Lamar Odom Takes Heat For Buying A Sex Doll That Resembles Ex-Wife Khloe Kardashian Lamar Odom Takes Heat For Buying A Sex Doll That Resembles Ex-Wife Khloe Kardashian

Lamar Odom Takes Heat For Buying A Sex Doll That Resembles Ex-Wife Khloe Kardashian

Celebrity

Newlyweds Justin Long and Kate Bosworth to Co-Star in Survival Thriller ‘Coyote’

Film

‘Paddington in Peru’ Review: A Diverting Threequel Sets a National Treasure on a Treasure Hunt

Film

Why Pharrell Got Fired from McDonald’s 3 Times

Celebrity

‘Paradise at Mother’s Feet’ Review: A Trek to Mecca Starts Heading in the Wrong Direction

Film

Zack Snyder to Direct LAPD Action Thriller at Netflix

Film

King Combs Posts Heartbreaking Tribute To His Mother Kim Porter On Her Death's Anniversary King Combs Posts Heartbreaking Tribute To His Mother Kim Porter On Her Death's Anniversary

King Combs Posts Heartbreaking Tribute To His Mother Kim Porter On Her Death’s Anniversary

Celebrity

Amy Schumer Net Worth: From Comedy to Hollywood Success

Celebrity

Yellowstone recap: A new wrinkle in John’s murder investigation complicates matters for the Dutton clan

Film

Connect