This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations impede ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – 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 Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward 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, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split might seem more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
