It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in dog sorrow, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted 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 – exemplified by flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
