It is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a dog following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups hinder individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries piled on lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
