It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The plot proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
