It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think fake snow clinging to lush pines as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
