It is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of animals – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
