A documentary about the life of Marcel, a shell who wears shoes. 

Marcel The Shell With Shoes On is a truly unique and wonderful film that seems even weirder when you try to describe it…

Documentary film maker Dean Fleischer Camp (playing a version of himself) has separated from his wife and moved to an Airbnb. Whilst there he notices someone else also lives there. A one eyed shell named Marcel (who is voiced by Fleischer Camp’s ex wife and co-writer Jenny Slate). So he decides to interview him. As Marcel tells us about his life with his grandmother Nana Connie (Isabella Rossellini) we learn that the rest of their family were mistakenly moved from the house when the previous occupants relationship broke down. When Camp places the recorded interviews on YouTube and they go viral it prompts 60 Minutes to contact them for an interview and the publicity opens up the possibility of finding Marcel’s family. 

As kooky as all of that sounds the result is a beautifully crafted and poignant family movie that talks about family, community, friendship and the fact that life can be tough and change is frightening. But on top of all of that, it shows that life can be wonderful too. 

Marcel and his grandmother are one eyed shells brought to life by stop motion animation. They are both softly spoken and thoroughly earnest in their child like honest perspective on the world around them. And it is this earnestness and child like honesty that brings some of the most poignant moments. Marcel’s admission that he is scared of his life changing again following him acclimating to losing his family is particularly emotional whilst his reaction of being overwhelmed at just how large the city is when Dean takes him to a look out point on a hill brought a lump to my throat. But it is not all about pulling heart strings because there is a peculiar brand of comedy that runs throughout the film and if you tune into it there are plenty of opportunities to have a good laugh along with the occasional tear. 

At just 90 minutes and with such a softly spoken lead it feels almost lightweight but it really packs an emotional punch. 

Highly recommend.