It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations prevent individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries surrounding lush pines as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
