It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think flurries surrounding green trees as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the dog is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
