This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself manages acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for the split might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
