This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
