This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a dog post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of animals – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
