This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for pet content. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
