THR FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS OF THE DISCUSSED FILM. READERS DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
In the gigantic world we live in, so much can happen around us we can forget how much of a difference the little things can make.
PLOT
Based on a series of short films created by Dean Fleischer Camp, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On follows follows documentary filmmaker Dean moving into an Airbnb after breaking up with his wife. It is there where he discovers a one inch tall talking shell named Marcel who lives in the home with his grandmother Nana Connie and pet lint Alan. Feeling inspired of seeing the shell's whimsicality and overall fascination with the world in general, Dean would start start filming the daily activities of both shells. What he captures is Marcel mostly gathering backyard resources to support himself and Connie, who tends to a garden assisted by insects she befriends. They also share mutual love over the news broadcast 60 Minutes and reporter Lesley Stahl. Marcel would be flattered of the popularity gained from the videos Dean would post on Youtube, but also feels overwhelmed due to missing his parents. Originally, they were all part of a community of shells, but became separated after the previous owners Mark (Thomas Mann) & Larissa (Rosa Salazar) moved out. They would hide in a sock drawer whenever the couple chose to argue but when Mark moved out after breaking up with Larissa, he accidentally packed the entire community and left behind Marcel & Connie. When Dean hears this from the shell himself, he decides to livestream on the internet to ask for help locating his family. After the said livestream would gain a substantial amount of views, Marcel would only feel dismayed and bothered upon realizing that the mix of fans and influencers are not so interested in helping him, only to be associated instead. With Connie suffering from dementia, he would grow concern for his nana but creates determination to reunite with his parents. So he asks Dean to help find Mark's car, only to feel overwhelmed of how vast/big the world is outside his home. When he returns home, he would find Connie cracked after falling off a washing machine. After this, the executives behind 60 Minutes reach out and want to do a cover story. Marcel would consider waiting until Connie recovers, but his nana pretends to show signs of improvement to encourage the interview, knowing it will better the chances of helping find his family. After Marcel & Dean participate in being interviewed by Lesley Stahl herself, Connie would be revealed to have sadly pass away during filming. However days after this, 60 Minutes would call Dean back and ask for additional filming due to discovering Larissa's whereabouts. When she takes them to Mark, Marcel & Dean would find the shell community in Mark’s secret drawer as predicted. All are taken back to the Airbnb and it is there where a proper funeral is given for the late Connie. The film would end with Dean moving into his new apartment and begin dating again, inviting Marcel to visit whenever.
THOUGHTS
You know I definitely thought I grew up lucky since I grew up with decades of Walt Disney's catalog before 2000. But then I realize I am so not because generations younger than me not only have that but a lot more (non Disney produced) animated films. A24 finally makes a hybrid live action/animated film and it delivers spectacularly. As a director, Fleischer Camp surprises the world making the cutest shit I've seen. Animals and aliens have been cute creatures to be seen onscreen, but I never thought they'd be topped by a talking shell yet here we are. Apart from all the shells we get to see, even the small spiders are cuter than the internet sensation Luca the Spider for crying out loud. That is how impressive the animation is in general. With Bianca Cline on cinematography, we are able to capture the beauty of the small things the world is capable of making. And that is part of the meaning behind this movie. Life is not perfect, but when you approach the many challenges that come your way, you must do it with grace in order to look back appreciate the personal accomplishments that came along the way. And that is why we are in love with the titular shell who masters doing things one at a time without pressure. Voiced incredibly by Jenny Slate, Marcel is a character we become so attached to because he improvises and doesn't worry too much of the outcome. He is vulnerable and doesn't care because it doesn't define him at all. He knows how scary life is in his environment, yet whether or not he feels scared, he embraces it in order to feel complete in the end. I'm sure he gets that from Lesley Stahl which only makes their encounter oh so poetic. He may have a family that loves each other unconditionally, but the honesty he displays would express how unconditional love is just as important if not. When you get to focus on the fictional version of Dean, played the director himself, you know he was in a crossroads. When you pick on how he and his wife grew apart, you understand that he feels the difficulty to regain happiness after a troubling period. But discovering Marcel helped him realize you can still enjoy life by putting yourself out there in the world, letting it know you are capable of handling anything. That shell gave him newfound confidence, thus having us witness a dynamic friendship I will forever adore. Apart from Marcel, I got to give a shoutout Nana Connie, who had her own set of adorability on display. Isabella Rossellini voices the character as one who is arguably the most fearless of characters shown. Everyday she went through challenges and did not seem phased compared to her grandchild. If I encountered insects around my size, I'd be freaking out. Yet she doesn't because she takes the time to know them before considering making judgement. It was tough to discover her reach the end because Marcel should've had the chance to say goodbye, but had it not been for her shown will, he would've not been determined to reunite with his family. In short, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is an instant classic from 2022 for finding almost every possible to make us smile by the end of its uplifting story, earning the Best Animated Feature Oscar nomination in the process. You want a new take on becoming open minded? This film can do it for you.
Comments