It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a dog following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in pet despair, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by 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 Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for the split would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
