It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the dog is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
