It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of animals – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation holds water seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation could have been more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
