This is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take 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. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think flurries clinging to green trees as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
