This is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (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 canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think flurries surrounding lush pines as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, 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, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
