This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
