This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a dog following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in pet despair, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character seems a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split could have been more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
