This is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations impede former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
