This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed 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 is sustainable is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
