It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups impede former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
