This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow clinging to green trees as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
