This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
