This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
