This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements prevent ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in pet despair, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
