It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations prevent ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The plot proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the dog is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
