It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. 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 either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation might seem more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
