This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on lush pines as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
