It is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups impede individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow clinging to green trees as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
