It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation would feel more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
