This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements prevent individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
