It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively remains debatable at best.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 a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
