This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
