It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding lush pines as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the title character is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation might seem more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
