It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
