This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
