It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
