It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple 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. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries surrounding green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility 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 either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
