Directed by : Dean Fleischer Camp

I want to be having a good life and stay alive, and not just survive, but have a good life.

A still from 'Marcel the Shell with Shoes On'

Spoilers ahead... 


An absolutely adorable 1 inch tall shell, Marcel (voice by Jenny Slate) lives with his grandmother Connie (voice by Isabella Rossellini). The place is an airbnb where a new person Dean (Dean Fleischer Camp) living there forms a special bond with Marcel while he is making a documentary on Marcel's life. Marcel becomes a star on youtube, which comes with its set of drawbacks too. But, Marcel just wants to find his lost big family that was accidentally taken away in a suitcase of the last couple that lived here.

The stop-motion animation is told in a documentary style for major part with minimal scenes that show Dean. The movie very well captures the point of living life to the fullest especially with your loved ones. Its an emotional journey with the kind, innocent Marcel slowly revealing his daily life routines that includes some fun ways to get food off the tree, a tennis ball with a hole to roll through the home, a bread based bedroom and many more innovative things Marcel does. 

There are many fun moments, like Connie mimicking tik tik tik for the Lesley Stahl's '60 Minutes' show, Marcel mocking at the sad life of a dog that always barks at something that should be celebrated, the first attempt at making popcorns, how Marcel is irritated at Dean's poor singing and the lovely reunion of Marcel with his family in the end.

Marcel conversations with Dean are interesting and endearing, often he is surprised how different Dean's behaviour is to certain life aspects. You can't help but smile (in a good way) at Marcel's perspective and how he finds joy in small things which ofcourse is because his world is small. His belief of having a life that you live rather than survive is something almost every living being dreams of. 

The voice of Jenny Slate really stands out and makes you connect instantly because it just suits Marcel character and persona of cute, charming, kind, sweet, caring and innocent to the tee. Marcel makes you smile with his thoughts and also sad when he remembers the lost family or the scenes involving the post home attack which very much says a lot about how low some humans can go for fame. Not a surprise when you see Marcel regret getting famous online as he isn't enjoying the disturbance its caused to his small world especially the attack on his grandmother. The scenes post that leading to Marcel mourning loss of Connie is very heartbreaking to watch. 

Some of the heavy talks the movie covers may not work with the children specially losing a loved one or what Marcel believes that he isn't a single piece rather a part of a whole, but other than that I feel its a movie meant for all kind of audience. And I like they ended the movie on Dean and Marcel interaction at Dean's new house keeping it lighthearted and fun. 

Overall, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is an animation movie that you can't help but falling in love with. Another triumph up the sleeve of ever-reliable A24 production.

My Rating : 8/10