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.
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Cast: Jenny Slate, Dean Fleischer Camp, Rosa Salazar, Thomas Mann, Isabella Rossellin
Release Date: June 24, 2022
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Rated PG for some suggestive material and thematic elements
Runtime: 1h 30m
Review:
Marcel the Shell with Shoes on is a wildly imaginative stop motion film that has a heartfelt authenticity that's hard to find. Dean Fleischer Camp's mockumentary has a fairy simple relying more on the charm of its central character and his sweet, life affirming worldview. Jenny Slate, who cocreated the character with Camp, delivers a touching and surprisingly nuanced performance as Marcel. Slate voicework makes the entire film work but imbuing the fanciful character feel real and believable. Isabella Rossellin serves as the her main costar, together they make a fascinating family unit as they explore topics of isolation and self discovery. Its a real testament to the script and performances that the film is sneakily moving and poignant while being incredibly accessible to everyone. Marcel the Shell with Shoes is the type of original film that comes out of nowhere and surprises at every turn reminding you some films don't have to big events to leave a lasting impact.
A
