This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
