It is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
