It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation would feel more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
