This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
