ROTTEN TOMATOES gives Marcel the Shell With Shoes On a 98% on the Tomatometer, and a 91% on the Audience Score. Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is a 2021 American mockumentary film directed by Dean Fleischer Camp (in his feature directional debut), who co-wrote the screenplay with Jenny Slate and Nick Paley. Jenny Slate voices Marcel in a delightful, unique way.
After Camp breaks up with his girlfriend (in Real Life it was Jenny Slate), Camp rents an apartment and finds Marcel the Shell. Marcel’s world is basically the apartment and the yard outside. Camp decides to document Marcel’s actions on film and the result is this mockumentary.
Marcel’s family has disappeared and Marcel asks Camp to help him locate them. Camp puts Marcel’s appeal on the Internet. Most of the viewers are of no help, but the producer of 60 Minutes contacts Marcel to see if he will appear on the CBS program and tell his story of his missing family.
Things get even more wacky when Leslie Stahl shows up! If you’re in the mood for an “outside-the-box” film, check out the trailer of Marcel the Shell With Shoes On below. GRADE: B+
I generally like Slate’s work, but this might be a bit too bittersweet twee for me, from the clips she has been pupping up on chat shows with I will give i a chance for no extra charge, eventually.
Pardon the missing keystrokes! Also, the one human eye poking out of the shells looks a bit painful to me.
Todd, that eye is weird but you get used to it.
Todd, I suspect MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON will appear on a streaming service or two in the coming months. Well worth a look!
Will investigate when it streams for free.
Patti, MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON is quirky, but Diane and I enjoyed it.
Sorry, but her “voice” was grating to me. I don’t think I could take it for 90 minutes.
Jeff, the voice is unique. I can understand why it might grate on people’s ears.