This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations prevent individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The plot proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the dog is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation would feel more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
