It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in pet despair, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself manages acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since Merv is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
