This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The plot is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries piled on lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character seems a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
