Summer movie season is typically a source of unpredictability for studios, with some films proving to be box office gold and others proving to be expensive failures. This year, though, “Marcel the Shell with Shoes on” is a sure bet to be the largest animated mockumentary of the summer. Or, at the very least, the most elaborate animated parody of an anthropomorphic shell.
“Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” is the first feature-length adaptation of Jenny Slate and Dean Fleischer-beloved Camp’s children’s character, which they’ve spent years developing through three short films and two children’s books, “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On: Things About Me” from 2011 and “Marcel the Shell: The Most Surprised I’ve Ever Been” from 2014. Slate has voiced the titular shell in each variation of the character, while Fleischer-Camp has handled directing duties.
Marcel is a little one-inch-tall shell who lives with his grandmother Connie and their pet lint, Alan, in a colorful world. They used to be part of a large community of shells, but now they are the sole survivors of a mysterious tragedy. However, when a documentary filmmaker discovers them among his Airbnb’s debris, the short film he puts online garners Marcel millions of ardent admirers, as well as unparalleled threats and renewed hope for discovering his long-lost family.
Marcel the Shell is, without a doubt, the best part of his film. Your heart feels full the instant you meet this anthropomorphic one-inch shell residing in an Airbnb abode. It’s difficult not to fall head over heels for this shell, especially with his peaceful, lovely demeanor and Jenny Slate’s nurturing voice. Because this was my first encounter with Marcel, I was taken aback when I learned that he was voiced by Slate. Marcel’s pure and curious worldview merges with his childish nature, tugging at your sympathies as you’re drawn into his situation.
Despite the fact that he is established as a teenage shell, the film places him in a grown-up setting. His family and friends have vanished after an argument with his ex-homeowners reached a breaking point. Now that he’s alone with his elderly grandmother Nana Connie (voiced by Isabella Rossellini), he’s having a hard time believing in anything. I have to applaud screenwriters Dean Fleischer-Camp, Jenny Slate, and Nick Paley for keeping the character’s childlike spirit while incorporating and delivering themes like emotional trauma and familial grief––something that hit far too close to home for me when I saw this film––in such a tender way.
Despite the fact that she had nothing to do with this piece, the laid-back tone, and visual style reminded me of Elizabeth Ito’s work (creator of City of Ghosts and Welcome to My Life). It may be wholesome, but when it gets into the meat of the matter, it hits you square in the face, causing you to shed a few tears.
Marcel the Shell spends the first few minutes of the film reproducing some of the source material’s elements, but on a far greater scale in terms of both style and visual presentation. Director/actor Dean Fleischer-Camp uses a strong verité technique to depict the mockumentary part of the shorts, making you feel as if you’re walking in Marcel’s shoes. The most amusing scenes occur when Marcel pokes fun at documentary filmmaking as Dean shoots on a handheld.
The chemistry between Marcel and Dean, who has a more prominent presence on camera than in the shorts, provides the bulk of the laughter. Some of the most heartwarming scenes and heartbreaking commentaries occur as their growing friendship develops. The topics they discuss cover a wide range of topics, including human civilization, togetherness, and taking a stand against how social media produces fake feelings. It’s a brave move for the writers to present Marcel as being anti-viral for a character who became a viral sensation himself. While Marcel’s comments on some of the topics they discuss is brief (at times dropped for the sake of cracking more jokes), it hits when he offers some intelligent opinions to the camera.
The feature film, like the shorts, employs a mockumentary structure to interview Marcel, a seashell searching for his place in the world as he battles with loneliness brought on by the departure of most of his family and housemates. Stop-motion animation blends live-action and traditional animation to give the impression that this walking seashell is real. The film also includes a semi-autobiographical storyline regarding breakups, as Slate and Fleischer-Camp were formerly married and continue to work together peacefully after their 2016 divorce.
Isabella Rossellini lends her voice to the picture, which also features Rosa Salazar, Thomas Mann, and Lesley Stahl. It had its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival in 2021, where it received positive feedback and was eventually picked up by A24. It will be the independent distributor’s first animated picture.
“In a time blighted with films preoccupied with concerns of connection, community, and change, ‘Marcel the Shell’ smoothly blends large ideas with charm and comedy,” commented IndieWire’s Kate Erbland after the film’s Telluride premiere (and inventive stop-motion work to boot). In a nutshell, it’s the sweetest film about bereavement you’ll see all year, if not ever.”
On June 24, the film “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” will be released in theatres.
Is Marcel the Shell with Shoes On available on Amazon Prime?
Amazon prime will not be streaming Marcel the Shell with Shoes On. Additionally, several other films are streaming on Prime. Our recommendations are The Voyagers, It’s a Wonderful Life, Notting Hill, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
Is Marcel the Shell with Shoes On available on HBO Max?
HBO Max will not be streaming Marcel the Shell with Shoes On. However, HBO’s subscribers can enjoy its other popular streams like Euphoria, When Harry Met Sally, and Promising Young Woman.
Is Marcel the Shell with Shoes On available on Hulu?
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is not available on Hulu. The new release line-up additionally includes Pam and Tommy, How I Met Your Father, Abbott Elementary, and Vikings.
Is Marcel the Shell with Shoes On available on Netflix?
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On will not be available to stream on Netflix. However, other brilliant shows like The Power of The Dog, The Social Network, Tick, Tick, Boom, and much more are available.
Where to Watch Marcel the Shell with Shoes On?
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On will be coming to theatres on June 24, 2022. We do not recommend illegal streaming and always suggest paying for the content you like to watch.