This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
