This is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in pet despair, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
