It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation holds water is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split could have been more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
