This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries surrounding green trees as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
