It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations impede ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable depends on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since Merv is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
