This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations prevent former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
