This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups impede individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think flurries piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the title character is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
