It is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the title character is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for the split would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
