This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.