OnScreen Review: "Marcel the Shell with Shoes On"
Ken Jones, Chief Film Critic
I may have been living under a rock, but up until a few months ago I had absolutely no awareness of a one-inch-tall talking shell named Marcel. I had somehow missed the three YouTube videos from 2010-2014 that became a sensation in some internet circles, the ones I apparently do not run in. So I was surprised and intrigued when I saw the trailer for Marcel the Shell with Shoes On. And when I finally did see the YouTube videos, I was even more eager to see the movie. I can happily report that this gem is one of the most wholesome and poignant films of the year and a genuine delight.
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is told in a documentary format, where a filmmaker named Dean (director Dean Fleischer Camp) discovers and begins filming the everyday life of a shell named Marcel (voiced by Jenny Slate), who lives with his grandmother Nanna Connie (voiced by Isabella Rossellini) at the Air BnB that Dean is staying at. As Dean builds a friendship with Marcel and learns more about his backstory, he discovers that Marcel was separated from the rest of his family outside of Nanna and creates a YouTube video to try and reconnect Marcel with his family.
There have been several attempts in the recent past to attempt to convert an internet sensation into something for television or film. Two that come immediately to mind are the short-lived “S*** My Dad Says” TV show and the epic-tweet-thread-turned-feature-film Zola. Both of those are wildly different forms of content than Marcel the Shell. It definitely helps that this film is based on short films. It’s also a good thing that this is a short movie (barely 90s minutes, maybe even less) that hits its sweet spot, and doesn’t overstay its welcome or try to be something that it isn’t.
Marcel is one of those characters that has a different perspective about the world, probably because he is only an inch tall, and the film derives a lot of genuine comedy out of such an absurdly simple premise. Not knowing the true origins of the character, I imagine that Marcel is a character that Slate and Fleischer Camp created from her simply doing a spur of the moment silly voice with a shell in her hand, like one of those goofy yet inspired moments of comedy between a couple of friends.
Marcel’s daily routines consist of “driving” around in a tennis ball around the house to get from one destination to another quicker, knocking oranges out of a tree with a system he has rigged up with a blender and clothes hanger rope to shake the tree, and several other unique activities like “ice skating” on the dust of the coffee table. And there is a hilarious obsession with 60 Minutes and reporter Lesley Stahl. Much like the YouTube videos, there are moments that Dean can’t help but contain his laughter and amusement at Marcel’s questions or insights and observations.
The house is itself a great big world for Marcel, and his interactions with Dean show him that there is an even bigger world out there, hilarious realized when Dean takes Marcel on a car ride through the streets of Los Angeles and Marcel gets carsick, repeatedly throwing up on the map he is standing on in the moving car, almost like a baby spitting up, but apologizing every single time.
The documentary/mockumentary format works really well for this film and Slate and Fleischer Camp really make the most of it. There is one scene where Marcel is stuck holding something and has accidentally blown out a candle and is looking for some assistance from Dean. Dean, trying to maintain a level of professional remove from the subject of his doc, is reluctant to help, which Marcel questions and calls him out on. After a short bit of back and forth, there is a cut in the footage and we jump ahead to Marcel holding the object he was holding, a newly lit candle, and a simple “Thank you” from Marcel to Dean.
The search for Marcel’s family and the story behind how they were separated is part of the emotional heart of the film, but just as vital is the relationship between Marcel and Nanna Connie, who has an accent because she’s from the garage. Nanna Connie begins to present with signs of dementia, so the prospect of Marcel being alone suddenly becomes very real, and it is established early in the film that a sense of community and extended family is big among the shells. I love that this is a film that isn’t afraid to mix in moments of sadness and melancholy in a sea of whimsy and charm.
In a way, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On reminded me of Won’t You Be My Neighbor? and the genuine goodness of its subject, Mister Rogers. It’s sweet and sincere and big-hearted without being treacly or sappy. It’s a wonderful change of pace, both from typical box office blockbusters but also from typical films that are geared toward children. It’s a delightful movie and one of the best of the year.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars