This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations impede individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The plot is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
