This is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.