This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
