It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
