It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a pet following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations prevent ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
