This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups prevent individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries piled on lush pines as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not 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 supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
