This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer manages acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since Merv is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation might seem more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
