It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
