This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict holds water remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries surrounding green trees as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation could have been more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
