It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
