This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character seems a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
