This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups prevent former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
