It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups impede individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
