It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
