It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries clinging to green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
