It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a dog following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since Merv is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
