On Friday night I found myself, once again, watching a show that gets its drive, its heart, from grief.
In Hulu’s latest hit show The Bear, Carmy is a New York City chef who has returned to his hometown Chicago to run his late brother’s restaurant. All of the tension and conflict derives from Michael’s substance abuse, how he ran his kitchen, and his death. Carmy’s motivation to turn the shop around is rooted in his grief, and his desire to honor his brother, as complicated as their relationship was, and is. This all really starts to take shape in episode three, which opens and closes with scenes of Carmy standing on the beach watching the sunset, while R.E.M.’s “Oh My Heart” plays in the background.
I have to admit that the first episode of The Bear was a shock to the system. It’s frenetic and over-stimulating, kind of like working in a restaurant kitchen must be. I wasn’t sure I wanted to keep going but, by the third episode, I was hooked. And even though the show is technically about a man, Sydney, the sous chef, is a strong female supporting actor. I love her scenes, I love her dynamic with Tina, and she’s just enjoyable to watch. Thanks to my friend Greg for the recommendation!
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
Then, on Saturday night, at the theater, I saw a movie that explores loss, grief, and change through the experience of two anthropomorphized shells.
Marcel the Shell, originally conceived by Dean Fleischer-Camp and Jenny Slate and the star of YouTube shorts, is now the subject of a full length film. Marcel the Shell with Shoes On tells the story of Marcel (voiced by leading lady Jenny Slate!) and his grandmother, Nanna Connie. They live in a house that used to be home to their whole family.
Based on the trailer, I thought the story was going to be about Marcel searching for his family. And it is! But it’s mostly about Marcel and his Nanna Connie. It’s about how they deal with their loss. It’s about Nanna getting older and how Marcel handles it. It’s tender and sweet, and if you’ve ever taken care of a sick or elderly loved one, it’s going to hit hard.
You know how sometimes people, when it’s vulnerable to share how they’re really feeling, will project it onto an animal or someone else? For instance, my friend’s mom used to say to her, “Sam [their cat] misses you so much!” And my friend would say, “Mom, you miss me!”
That was the feel of this movie: that if we were watching humans play out this story, it would be too vulnerable and painful. But somehow it’s more digestible because it’s two anthropomorphized inanimate objects.
If you’ve recently gone through loss or transition (and, in many ways, we all have because of the pandemic, which this story kind of feels about), cozy up to Marcel the Shell with Shoes On and get ready to see your emotions mirrored to you. Bring a box of tissues. You might cry, and if you do, it will be very cathartic.
My favorite moment from Marcel is when Connie says to Marcel, “Don’t use me as an excuse not to live.”
Marcel replies, “But what if everything changes again?”
And Nanna Connie, with a gentle and peaceful smile, says, “It will.”
What did you watch this weekend? Did you take in any good shows or movies? And what did you like about them? Give us your recommendations in the comments below!
I had no idea they made a feature length Marcel!! That's amazing and it sounds really good. I'll have to check it out. Thanks for keeping me up to date with the world of TV and film!
I watched Doctor Strange this weekend. It really helped me get a grasp on the multiverse. I had no idea Doctor Strange's origin story was born out of a desire for his hands to be healed. It brought many real desires to the forefront -- purpose, eternal life. Good commentary on the ache and questions of our culture.
Yes, definitely go see it! I'd love to hear what you think!
Oo, Doctor Strange is a Marvel movie that is still on my list! I'm not a big fan of Marvel, but there's a few that I've enjoyed and I've been meaning to watch Doctor Strange. Plus, I love Benedict. Those themes you mentioned sound very relevant, so I'll have to bump Doctor Strange up on my watchlist! Thanks for sharing, Corey!
I had no idea they made a feature length Marcel!! That's amazing and it sounds really good. I'll have to check it out. Thanks for keeping me up to date with the world of TV and film!
I watched Doctor Strange this weekend. It really helped me get a grasp on the multiverse. I had no idea Doctor Strange's origin story was born out of a desire for his hands to be healed. It brought many real desires to the forefront -- purpose, eternal life. Good commentary on the ache and questions of our culture.
Yes, definitely go see it! I'd love to hear what you think!
Oo, Doctor Strange is a Marvel movie that is still on my list! I'm not a big fan of Marvel, but there's a few that I've enjoyed and I've been meaning to watch Doctor Strange. Plus, I love Benedict. Those themes you mentioned sound very relevant, so I'll have to bump Doctor Strange up on my watchlist! Thanks for sharing, Corey!