It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The narrative unfolds as 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 uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
