It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation would feel more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
