It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
