It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups prevent ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict holds water is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
