It is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups impede former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries clinging to green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character seems a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since Merv is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
