It is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
