It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
