It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups impede ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
