It is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in pet despair, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The plot proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow piled on green trees as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
