This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups impede former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think flurries surrounding lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the dog is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
