It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in pet despair, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
