It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups prevent ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation works effectively remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
