This is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: 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, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
