It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
