This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups impede ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The plot proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides 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 human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
