It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself manages acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the dog is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
