This is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
