It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation works effectively remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
