It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.