“Marcel the Shell with Shoes On Review – An Adorable Adventure with Touching tale”
Jenny Slate and Dean Fleischer-Camp introduced the world to Marcel, a cute one-inch talking shell, in 2010. This shell, complete with a googly eye and a pair of miniature shoes, went viral and is now the subject of his own feature-length film. So brace yourself for high-pitched squeals of delight in Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, a mockumentary comedy starring Slate as this tiny shell once more. This film follows Marcel on his journey to find his family with the assistance of a documentary filmmaker (Fleischer-Camp).
Aside from how adorable Marcel the Shell with Shoes is, nothing else can be said about it. Slate, Fleischer-Camp, and co-writer Nick Paley took a series of short films primarily comprised of cute one-liner jokes and turned them into a feature film made it the most touching film since Paddington 2. This film works so well because of the protagonist, who is not only attractive but also has an endearing personality and a positive outlook on life. Marcel is a wholesome icon who you root for because he is funny and lovable.
The film is immediately comforting as we are introduced to Marcel through a few one-liners. The writing is superb, with many quick comedic moments lifted directly from the short films on which the film is based. They couldn’t just have Marcel exist and be cute for an hour and a half. The screenplay first establishes Marcel as the viral sensation that he is, while also demonstrating how he was unprepared for the level of fame he received. Following that, Marcel is sent on a journey to reunite with his shell family, who have been separated from their home.
It’s a movie with straightforward, beautiful writing that draws you into the adventure. Marcel claims early on in the movie that he smiles “because it’s worth it.” Moments like these remain in the audience’s memories, and the film knows not to overstay its welcome with a breezy 90-minute runtime that was more than enough to convey this moving story. The subplot involving Marcel’s emotional relationship with his grandmother Connie (Isabella Rossellini) is masterfully written. Fleischer-Camp pulls at your heartstrings, so watching Marcel is a one-way ticket to the best kind of teary eyes.
Fleischer-Camp, who plays the documentary filmmaker making a movie about Marcel, gets his own character arc as part of the movie’s extra effort Fleischer-Camp, who plays the documentary filmmaker making a movie about Marcel, gets his own character arc as part of the movie’s extra effort. This was a wise decision because it makes the film even more beautiful and inspirational. With its unique idea and straightforward execution, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is sure to put a smile on your face. A comfort film that is ideal for those in need of a smile and a teardrop is elevated by Slate’s exceptional voice work and Bianca Cline’s warm, aesthetically pleasing cinematography.
SCORE: 8/10
A score of 8 equals “Great,” as stated in ComingSoon’s review policy. This score indicates that the art achieves its objectives and makes a lasting impression, despite a few minor flaws.
