This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a dog following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow surrounding lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the title character is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
