It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a dog following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively remains debatable at best.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 its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
