This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations prevent former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in pet despair, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The plot proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
