It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly 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 awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
