This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow surrounding green trees as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – 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 clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, 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 moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
