This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think flurries piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for dog videos. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since Merv is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split could have been more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
