This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups impede former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation holds water is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
