This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
