This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
