This is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow surrounding green trees as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation might seem more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
