This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself manages looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
