This is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with split households. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries clinging to green trees as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
