This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of animals – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
