This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in pet despair, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the dog is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for the split might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
