It is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The plot proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
