This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to lush pines as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
