This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
