This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation 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 – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow piled on lush pines as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
