It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings 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 succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the dog is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
