It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow surrounding green trees as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split would feel more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
