It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
