This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of 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 wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
