It is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think flurries clinging to lush pines as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
