This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations impede individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
