It is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of animals – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to green trees as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
