It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on green trees as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
