It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation holds water seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
