This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups prevent former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The plot proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation might seem more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
