It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups hinder former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think flurries surrounding lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split could have been more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
