It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups hinder ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow piled on green trees as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
