It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The plot proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
