This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
