This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the dog is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
