This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
