This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
