It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations impede former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries clinging to green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the dog is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
