This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups impede individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow clinging to green trees as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the title character is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
