It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation could have been more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
