This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation might seem more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
