It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations impede individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries clinging to green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation could have been more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
