This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements impede ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think flurries surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the title character is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
