It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups impede individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of animals – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The plot proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
