It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries surrounding lush pines as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for pet content. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
