It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
