It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations impede former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow clinging to green trees as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
