This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a dog post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in pet despair, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
