This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups hinder former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation works effectively seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
