It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups prevent individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – serve 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 – exemplified by flurries clinging to green trees as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
