It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations impede former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The plot proves to be straightforward: a separated couple 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 uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think fake snow surrounding green trees as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
