Marcel the Shell with Shoes On Film Review

“Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” is about as cute as it gets. In my opinion, the dialogue, circumstances and situations that arise around this little stop-motion animated shell seem to be geared toward adults. Still, the kids will go crazy for this adorable little guy and the darling voice Jenny Slate has given him. I think we all need a little cute in our life right now, so I can’t help but suggest you watch.

“Marcel” was originally a few short films and has now been made into this feature-length film. However, at slightly under an hour and a half, even that feels a bit too long for the average adult to sit through. But if you’re down and need a pick-me-up, it’s just what the doctor ordered.

Marcel and his grandmother Connie (Isabella Rossellini) lived in a large community of shells who were loving and happy. One day, the human couple who own the house they occupy split up. While packing to leave, the man took everything from his sock drawer (where they all lived) and dumped it into his suitcase. Those socks included Marcel’s family and friends. He and Connie were left behind to fend for themselves. Marcel doesn’t like that there’s no one to talk to.

Eventually, the occupant of the home, now an Airbnb, discovered Marcel. He’s Dean, played by Dean Fleischer-Camp, Slate’s real-life ex. It turns out that Dean’s a filmmaker who wants to feature Marcel in a documentary. Oh, what a wonderful way for the little shell, who maneuvers through the house in his tennis ball “rover,” to fill his time. It excites him that there’s someone else to talk to, especially since now he gets to talk about himself, a favorite topic.

Marcel mentions what he has seen and done but doesn’t understand most of why things happen or why he has to do them. When the video of him being interviewed lands on the internet and gets millions of views, he’s happy about it but doesn’t really know why. It’s his naiveté that makes watching the movie somewhat unique and special. We see him interact with the dog, what he eats, how he gets his food, and how he takes care of Connie.

I have to ask, though it’s good, precisely who is this film for? Some would argue that it should have stayed in the short film category as it seems to suffer from its status in the world. It’s too long to keep adults interested and it’s too long to keep children interested. As charming as it is, for some, it could be a big ask to have either audience watch a little shell move about the house for this length of time.

Can Marcel hold the attention of a large crowd? Will it pull on the heartstrings of the larger audience? Will the youth get the more profound messages the filmmakers are putting out?

That being the question, I can still see it winning for best-animated feature because no matter how long it is, it does entertain. It also comes with a built-in fan base, and they know what makes this gabby carapace so bewitching.

The best part of the film? When Marcel has learned enough about life that he questions why Dean lives his behind the camera.

There’s a lot to like in this Marcel film. The length of time is not one of them. Therefore, it lowered my rating from a 95 to a 90.