This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations prevent former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. 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 even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
