This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations impede former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
