This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation works effectively is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries clinging to lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
