It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of animals – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in pet despair, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation works effectively remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think flurries surrounding green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
