This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a dog following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
