This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations impede ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The plot proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
