This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
