This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in dog sorrow, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup holds water seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
