This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups prevent ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict holds water seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on lush pines as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation could have been more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
