This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation holds water remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow surrounding lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
