It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations impede individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries piled on lush pines as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
