This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups impede former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in pet despair, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for the split could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
