It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict holds water is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as 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 luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer manages looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
