This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup holds water remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think fake snow clinging to lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
