It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
