It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict holds water remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow piled on lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
