This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
