This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a dog following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed 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. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
