It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
