It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for dog videos. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
