This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations impede ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The plot is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
