This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
