It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding green trees as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split might seem more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
