It is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations hinder former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries clinging to green trees as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for dog videos. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
