It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups prevent individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. We have here a holiday release 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, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think flurries surrounding green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, 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 the split would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
