This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups prevent individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
