This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation works effectively seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
