It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries piled on lush pines as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
