It is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in pet despair, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
