This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations impede ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow piled on green trees as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since Merv is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
