This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
