This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups impede former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries piled on lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, 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, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
