It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. 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 – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
