This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups impede ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow clinging to green trees as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
