It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
