This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation holds water remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
