This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in pet despair, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
