It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only 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 should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on lush pines as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
