This is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character seems a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
