This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements prevent former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
