This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict holds water is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The narrative proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since Merv is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
