It is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries piled on lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation might seem more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
