It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since Merv is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
