It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a dog post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer manages acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
