This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups prevent ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
