This is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a dog following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede former couples from finding closure, 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.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The plot is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the dog is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
