This is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries 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 best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, 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 the Amazon platform starting December 10.
