It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups prevent ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
