This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow surrounding green trees as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
