This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in canine melancholy, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries surrounding green trees as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for pet content. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
