When I first discovered Marcel about a year ago, I was eighteen. I was immediately in love. Now, he has a second short, an iPhone app, and a book, and I couldn't be happier.
Marcel embodies the type of existence which I aim to live myself. He is kind, funny, and talented, and he lives at very low means (he "drives" a ~bug~). More importantly, though, is the quiet confidence he exudes. He IS tiny and he IS seemingly insignificant, yet he has found the facets of him that make him special (his voice, for instance), and he sees value in them- leading others to see value in them AND him. And that's a lesson I think every person needs; that regardless of the significance of your job or the weightiness of your talents or your place in the world, with a little kindness and self-confidence, it will be apparent to others that you ARE worthwhile, unique, and beautiful. Sometimes it's hard with all of the other struggling people in the world to remember this. Marcel so gently and so eloquently gives every one of us a pat on the back and reminds us to "like ourselves." He perfectly represents that little voice in us that nudges us to go forth and keep moving, even if there is no obvious reason to. The Marcel movies and book will ever so slightly shift your perception of the world and of yourself to just a little sunnier a vista.
And on top of all of this, he is so painfully adorable that when you read about his life in this beautifully crafted book, your heart will surely swell to double its size.
"Guess why I smile all the time."
"Why?"
"Because it's worth it."