This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a dog following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
