It is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups impede ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
