It is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations prevent ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only 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 are better together. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split could have been more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
