91 mins |
Rated
PG
Directed by Dean Fleischer-Camp
Starring Stephen Frears, Isabella Rossellini, Jenny Slate, Rosa Salazar, Lesley Stahl
Marcel is an adorable one-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. But when a documentary filmmaker discovers them amongst the clutter of his Airbnb, the short film he posts online brings Marcel millions of passionate fans, as well as unprecedented dangers and a new hope at finding his long-lost family. A beloved character gets his big-screen debut in this hilarious and heartwarming story about finding connection in the smallest corners.
If you haven’t already met Marcel through his series of online low-fi high-quirk shorts, I suggest you get watching the minute you finish reading this. The original trilogy was created through a collaboration between writer/director Dean Fleischer-Camp and actor/writer Jenny Slate – set up as mockumentaries that see anthropomorphic snail shell Marcel being interviewed about his interests, hobbies, and some of life’s big questions. Marcel was a total hit from the moment he appeared on the internet scene back in 2010 – and it’s magnificent to see this endearing little mollusc get his much-deserved feature-length debut in a hilarious and heartwarming story about finding connection and community, even in the smallest of corners.
Gently incorporating themes of separation, loneliness and grief, Dean and Jenny have created a magnificent film for all-ages that beautifully balances laugh-out loud gags with the perfect amount of hit-you-in the-heart emotion. Sometimes it simply takes a tiny one-eyed talking shell with shoes on to remind us all, that when it comes down to it, a little optimism and kindness is all that really matters. — Nic Marshall
99% Certified Fresh - Rotten Tomatoes
★★★★½ "The ideal mood-boosting movie, one that earns the warm and fuzzy feeling it leaves you with via stellar writing, great performances, top notch craftsmanship, and what feels like a deep and very genuine desire to bring some happiness and hope to the world." - YouTube
★★★★ "The ideal family film should be equally enjoyed by kids and adults, then handed down from one generation to the next... And this delightful heart-warmer belongs in that category." - San Jose Mercury News
★★★★ "Marcel the Shell with Shoes On will make your spirit soar and remind you to enjoy those you love, inhale a bit of fresh air, and respect the earth every second as though it were your very first time." - RogerEbert
★★★★ "A heartfelt summer comedy" - Arizona Republic
★★★★ - Chicago Tribune | ★★★★ - Flickering Myth
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Marcel is an adorable one-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. But when a documentary filmmaker discovers them amongst the clutter of his Airbnb, the short film he posts online brings Marcel millions of passionate fans, as well as unprecedented dangers and a new hope at finding his long-lost family. A beloved character gets his big-screen debut in this hilarious and heartwarming story about finding connection in the smallest corners.
If you haven’t already met Marcel through his series of online low-fi high-quirk shorts, I suggest you get watching the minute you finish reading this. The original trilogy was created through a collaboration between writer/director Dean Fleischer-Camp and actor/writer Jenny Slate – set up as mockumentaries that see anthropomorphic snail shell Marcel being interviewed about his interests, hobbies, and some of life’s big questions. Marcel was a total hit from the moment he appeared on the internet scene back in 2010 – and it’s magnificent to see this endearing little mollusc get his much-deserved feature-length debut in a hilarious and heartwarming story about finding connection and community, even in the smallest of corners.
Gently incorporating themes of separation, loneliness and grief, Dean and Jenny have created a magnificent film for all-ages that beautifully balances laugh-out loud gags with the perfect amount of hit-you-in the-heart emotion. Sometimes it simply takes a tiny one-eyed talking shell with shoes on to remind us all, that when it comes down to it, a little optimism and kindness is all that really matters. — Nic Marshall
99% Certified Fresh - Rotten Tomatoes
★★★★½ "The ideal mood-boosting movie, one that earns the warm and fuzzy feeling it leaves you with via stellar writing, great performances, top notch craftsmanship, and what feels like a deep and very genuine desire to bring some happiness and hope to the world." - YouTube
★★★★ "The ideal family film should be equally enjoyed by kids and adults, then handed down from one generation to the next... And this delightful heart-warmer belongs in that category." - San Jose Mercury News
★★★★ "Marcel the Shell with Shoes On will make your spirit soar and remind you to enjoy those you love, inhale a bit of fresh air, and respect the earth every second as though it were your very first time." - RogerEbert
★★★★ "A heartfelt summer comedy" - Arizona Republic
★★★★ - Chicago Tribune | ★★★★ - Flickering Myth