This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think flurries clinging to lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation might seem more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
