It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
