It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
