This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow clinging to green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the dog is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
