It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations impede former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
