It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
