It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements prevent individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The plot proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only 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 should reunite. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries clinging to lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself manages acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
