It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of animals – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow piled on lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
