This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow surrounding lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
