It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
