This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
