This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
