It is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in pet despair, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: 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 therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding green trees as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split could have been more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
