This is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations hinder ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
