It is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a dog following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think flurries clinging to lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for the split might seem more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
