This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements prevent individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation works effectively remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable depends on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
