It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
