This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think flurries piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for dog videos. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem 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 it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
