This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations impede individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict holds water is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow clinging to green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the dog is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
