It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations impede former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
