This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups hinder individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow clinging to green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the dog is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
