It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of animals – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in pet despair, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
