It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character seems a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
