This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups impede ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
