This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups hinder ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The plot is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
