This is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split might seem more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
