It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
