It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a dog following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The plot proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
