It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the title character is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration 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 hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
