This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think flurries surrounding lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
