It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, 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, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
