This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations hinder individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of animals – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
