It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as 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 – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
