This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries surrounding lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
