This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation holds water remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
