It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The plot proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely 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. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries clinging to green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation would feel more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.