It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on green trees as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
