It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation holds water is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow clinging to green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
