It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for the split could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
