It is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The plot unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
